We taught this amazing lesson on Tuesday night to a mom and her two teenage girls. Come to find out during the lesson the mom, Maria is in Kidney failure and is in constant pain. She receives dialysis two times a week. As I was listening to this, looking at the pain in her girls' eyes I prayed so fervently to my Heavenly Father that I could teach to the needs of this family. The daughter Alpha began to cry as she told me that she just wants her mom better. She said if she could wish for anything it was for her mom to live. In that moment I felt like the task before me was more than I could handle. How could I express the love that Heavenly Father has for them and the wonderful plan He has set for them? I wanted to take the pain in their eyes away and calm these girls fears. I prayed that as I opened my mouth that the Lord would fill it. A scripture immediately came into my mind. Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." I then testified of the Plan of Salvation and how we can live with our families forever. I shared Tylers story(something I don't do often) and we left with a prayer that brought peace to my heart and hopefully to the hearts of that family. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father that in that moment He gave me the guidance I needed. My purpose there was made clear to me. I love the Lord!
Thanksgiving was......interesting. Thursdays are planning days so we planned in the morning then later that afternoon we had a Thanksgiving dinner at the Bishops house. For a woman from Mexico she did an amazing job cooking a good old American thanksgiving dinner! She is so cute! Well....we left the Bishops house and went to this area so we could contact people on the street. Not even 5 minutes later I felt this thing on my neck. I go to touch it to see what it is when a huge wasp/hornet totally stung my finger! It hurt SO bad!!! I thought I was going to die. I was literally crying on the side of the street! We rushed off to Wal-greens(the people there know my name I swear) and got me some meds. My finger was swelling up pretty bad so I took some benadryl. While doctor Hermana Stevens removed the stinger from my finger(I guess she did it a lot growing up on the farm). Needless to say my thanksgiving was spent me knocked out with a finger twice its size. HAHA! My finger is normal now ;)
Sounds like all of you had quite the adventures on black Friday! LOVE it!!
The mission right now has a goal for 500 baptisms for the year 2010. Our mission President designated the weekend of the 18th and 19th as "white weekend". Which means that every companionship is to have a baptism that weekend. Right now we have 5 people set with a baptismal date for that weekend. It is going to be tough to have someone ready but we have complete faith that we can do it! It is amazing, right now we have so many people with baptismal dates. The trouble is getting them to be ready for it and come to church! The Lord is blessing us so much. Last night we ended the week breaking my mission numbers. Heavenly Father is definitely preparing people in this area right now. :)
Oh! mom----do you know that book "You are Special" I think years ago Elder Devey shared it with our family? I want to get it as a gift for Dulce's little girls. Can you maybe find it in Spanish and send it to me? I have decided that if you all are going to buy me Christmas presents I will then just give it away to my investigators. They have nothing. SO don't worry about getting me anything :)
Well, I feel like I could write for days but time is up. LOVE YOU!!! All is well here....most of the time ;)
Sarah
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving
"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is grenerous and noble, but to live with gratitide ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."
---President Thomas S. Monson
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so many things.I decided to make a list of a few thigns I am thankful for.
-being a missionary-greatest experience of my life!
-family
-mail-you dont even know how much it helps me
-little kids-their pureness and love
-singing--when I am frustrated or annoyed, I sing :)
-the spirit-the constant love I can feel from my Heavenly Father
-my Savior
-chocolate during 3 hour planning sessions
-my leggings that keep my legs warm under my skirt
-new sister missionary rules that allow me to paint my nails and not feel ugly
-when my companion will kick(lightly)the cats so they dont come near me(they know how much I hate animals)
-magic(that one's for you denise)
-the gift of tongues----who ever knew I could actually speak Spanish?!
-my hair-a lady in the ward has cancer and has lost all her hair and where would I put my pen so it couldn't be more handy than in my hair?
-flowers :)
Dulce and Jorge=BOMB! Dulce came to church for the 3rd time. We for sure set her baptism for Dec. 8th. I am SO excited! I have never taught someone so ready. On Tuesday she asked us "What can I do to better prepare myself for my baptism?". She is so amazing! Well, she already reads her Book of Mormon for at least 2 hours everyday and I taught her how to use the references on the bottom of the Book of Mormon in her studies. She will soon know more about the Book of Mormon than me! HAHA! Jorge wants to get baptized too but has to work on Sundays. He said he will get days off in December and on his 3rd Sunday at church he wants to get baptized. Jorge described the spirit so amazingly the other day, he said "it feels like we are the only ones in the world and that nothing else matters. I feel warmth all over and love. My heart is beating so fast that I feel like I need to catch my breath." Dulce then agreed that she felt the exact same way.Their cute little girl Ashley came up to me during the lesson and handed me this drawing she made for me. It was of Hermana Stevens and me. Maybe she made Hermana Stevens 2 times as big as me, maybe she didn't. HAHA!! Made me laugh. Hermana is pretty tall. I had a third eye and Hermana Stevens arms are coming out of her head. I put it up on my wall so I could look at it while studying. :) OBSESSED!
Hermana Stevens has been sick all weekend. She barely had a voice. Made for a fun time trying to get all of our 70 OYM's or contacts. She would start the contact by saying "Hola!" then I would finish it. Each week each missionary needs to get 70 contacts-like with people on the street, knocking doors, etc. I made it a goal a long time ago that I would ALWAYS get my 70. SO by Sunday night I barely had a voice from doing the contacts for both of us and teaching all the lessons. Haha....little bit of man voice today-that's for sure.
About 3 months ago this little girl gave me one of those plastic bracelets that is in shapes of things. She gave me one with a Princess. For some reason I always wear it and when I would put my watch on in the morning I would always put on this pink little bracelet. Well, the other day I was having a hard time(to say the least) and we visited this investigator. Her cute little 5 year old daughter was talking to me and I showed her my Princess bracelet. She then said "its a princess...to tell you that you are a daughter of God". She is SO cute! OK.....almost bawled my eyes out right then. What a tender mercy from Heavenly Father in that moment. To be reminded that I am a daughter of a King- which makes me a Princess. Definitely helped me make it through that rough patch.
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!! I love you all and will be thinking of you on Thursday. Eat lots of turkey and pie for me, ok?
Sarbear ;)
---President Thomas S. Monson
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so many things.I decided to make a list of a few thigns I am thankful for.
-being a missionary-greatest experience of my life!
-family
-mail-you dont even know how much it helps me
-little kids-their pureness and love
-singing--when I am frustrated or annoyed, I sing :)
-the spirit-the constant love I can feel from my Heavenly Father
-my Savior
-chocolate during 3 hour planning sessions
-my leggings that keep my legs warm under my skirt
-new sister missionary rules that allow me to paint my nails and not feel ugly
-when my companion will kick(lightly)the cats so they dont come near me(they know how much I hate animals)
-magic(that one's for you denise)
-the gift of tongues----who ever knew I could actually speak Spanish?!
-my hair-a lady in the ward has cancer and has lost all her hair and where would I put my pen so it couldn't be more handy than in my hair?
-flowers :)
Dulce and Jorge=BOMB! Dulce came to church for the 3rd time. We for sure set her baptism for Dec. 8th. I am SO excited! I have never taught someone so ready. On Tuesday she asked us "What can I do to better prepare myself for my baptism?". She is so amazing! Well, she already reads her Book of Mormon for at least 2 hours everyday and I taught her how to use the references on the bottom of the Book of Mormon in her studies. She will soon know more about the Book of Mormon than me! HAHA! Jorge wants to get baptized too but has to work on Sundays. He said he will get days off in December and on his 3rd Sunday at church he wants to get baptized. Jorge described the spirit so amazingly the other day, he said "it feels like we are the only ones in the world and that nothing else matters. I feel warmth all over and love. My heart is beating so fast that I feel like I need to catch my breath." Dulce then agreed that she felt the exact same way.Their cute little girl Ashley came up to me during the lesson and handed me this drawing she made for me. It was of Hermana Stevens and me. Maybe she made Hermana Stevens 2 times as big as me, maybe she didn't. HAHA!! Made me laugh. Hermana is pretty tall. I had a third eye and Hermana Stevens arms are coming out of her head. I put it up on my wall so I could look at it while studying. :) OBSESSED!
Hermana Stevens has been sick all weekend. She barely had a voice. Made for a fun time trying to get all of our 70 OYM's or contacts. She would start the contact by saying "Hola!" then I would finish it. Each week each missionary needs to get 70 contacts-like with people on the street, knocking doors, etc. I made it a goal a long time ago that I would ALWAYS get my 70. SO by Sunday night I barely had a voice from doing the contacts for both of us and teaching all the lessons. Haha....little bit of man voice today-that's for sure.
About 3 months ago this little girl gave me one of those plastic bracelets that is in shapes of things. She gave me one with a Princess. For some reason I always wear it and when I would put my watch on in the morning I would always put on this pink little bracelet. Well, the other day I was having a hard time(to say the least) and we visited this investigator. Her cute little 5 year old daughter was talking to me and I showed her my Princess bracelet. She then said "its a princess...to tell you that you are a daughter of God". She is SO cute! OK.....almost bawled my eyes out right then. What a tender mercy from Heavenly Father in that moment. To be reminded that I am a daughter of a King- which makes me a Princess. Definitely helped me make it through that rough patch.
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!! I love you all and will be thinking of you on Thursday. Eat lots of turkey and pie for me, ok?
Sarbear ;)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Spaghetti Mess!
President Saylin has recently written a talk in our mission newsletter about the Sacrament. I have realized that recently I haven't been as focused on the Sacrament as I could be. I am so worried about investigators, if they have a good experience, if members sit by them, not to mention playing the piano---that I have taken my mind off of the importance of the Sacrament. I tried really hard yesterday to be reverent and partake of the sacrament in a manner that is respectful. It was such a spiritual experience for me. I have been missing out these last few months. President Saylin said, "May we not forget in our hearts-even always remembering-what He has done for us and for those we love. With such remembrance, none of us would ever do anything contrary to His will or decline opportunity to repay the debt owed to Him." Remember what President Packer said, "Reverence invites revelation."
First off, I am not getting transferred. Hermana Stevens and I are staying together another transfer. When I told Dulce yesterday that there was a chance I was leaving she started to cry! LOL! I am OBSESSED with her. Her and I are best friends. She is so cute-at Church yesterday she was taking notes and marking her scriptures. She and her husband went to the Thanksgiving activity last Friday with their girls and I guess they stayed till 11pm and danced(ya, I didn't know ward parties went that late...but then again I am in a Spanish ward. LOL). She is probably the most prepared person I have ever taught. Its really awesome to be a part of.
I was on exchanges 2 different times this last week. It was a good experience but on Tuesday we had a bunch of problems and I ended up having to take a sister missionary to the mission office to go home. LONG story. But a little stressful to say the least. I think I am done with exchanges at least for a little while. I feel like I have lived out of my suitcase.
One of our investigators wanted to learn how to make spaghetti so on Friday I made her and her family their first spaghetti ever! It tasted pretty delicious if I do say so myself. The funny thing was that Hispanics do not use forks....like ever. Most of the members only have forks for when the missionaries come over to eat. SO we ate with spoons. Well, cute little 4 year old Fanny(Stefany-short) couldn't do it so she ended up eating it with her hands. It was SO fun to watch the cute kids eat Spaghetti for the first time, with their hands! It was a mess that's for sure! And the hug from Fanny on the way out with her sauce covered face and hands was even funnier. Yes I am washing that skirt today. LOL!!
I ate menudo(cow stomach) and cow hoof on Thursday. I wanted to kill myself. I went to go wash the bowl and throw the rest away when Hermana stopped me and told me that I have to cut the fatty looking stuff off and eat it. "Es bien rica y tiene vitaminas!" NO it is NOT delicious and how does fat have any vitamins??? Torture...no wonder most missionaries gain weight on their mission.
It was hot one day-sweating.....freezing the next. Ok houston.....make up your mind. Have a good week! LOVES!
Sarah
First off, I am not getting transferred. Hermana Stevens and I are staying together another transfer. When I told Dulce yesterday that there was a chance I was leaving she started to cry! LOL! I am OBSESSED with her. Her and I are best friends. She is so cute-at Church yesterday she was taking notes and marking her scriptures. She and her husband went to the Thanksgiving activity last Friday with their girls and I guess they stayed till 11pm and danced(ya, I didn't know ward parties went that late...but then again I am in a Spanish ward. LOL). She is probably the most prepared person I have ever taught. Its really awesome to be a part of.
I was on exchanges 2 different times this last week. It was a good experience but on Tuesday we had a bunch of problems and I ended up having to take a sister missionary to the mission office to go home. LONG story. But a little stressful to say the least. I think I am done with exchanges at least for a little while. I feel like I have lived out of my suitcase.
One of our investigators wanted to learn how to make spaghetti so on Friday I made her and her family their first spaghetti ever! It tasted pretty delicious if I do say so myself. The funny thing was that Hispanics do not use forks....like ever. Most of the members only have forks for when the missionaries come over to eat. SO we ate with spoons. Well, cute little 4 year old Fanny(Stefany-short) couldn't do it so she ended up eating it with her hands. It was SO fun to watch the cute kids eat Spaghetti for the first time, with their hands! It was a mess that's for sure! And the hug from Fanny on the way out with her sauce covered face and hands was even funnier. Yes I am washing that skirt today. LOL!!
I ate menudo(cow stomach) and cow hoof on Thursday. I wanted to kill myself. I went to go wash the bowl and throw the rest away when Hermana stopped me and told me that I have to cut the fatty looking stuff off and eat it. "Es bien rica y tiene vitaminas!" NO it is NOT delicious and how does fat have any vitamins??? Torture...no wonder most missionaries gain weight on their mission.
It was hot one day-sweating.....freezing the next. Ok houston.....make up your mind. Have a good week! LOVES!
Sarah
Monday, November 8, 2010
Hace Frio!
"The earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of 'the great plan of happiness' so we can return home and know what it means to be there."
-Elder Bruce C Hafen
On Friday night we brought our ward mission leader to a lesson with Jenny and Juan. I love them! Hermano was such a huge help and they committed to get work off so they can come to church. I sat down with their two little boys as we used my little pictures to put together the plan of happiness. I have been studying the Plan of Salvation a lot because I am working on re-doing my lesson plans and I am on the second lesson(The Plan of Salvation). The quote by Elder Bruce C. Hafen just hit me because its so true!
We have to be away from something to really appreciate it. For example, I have been away from my family for over a year and I feel like my love for you has grown stronger because I had to take a step back and realize what it felt like to not be with you. Once I get home I will better appreciate it because I will know what it means to be there. To be together again. It is the same with our Heavenly home. We will be thankful to live with our families and God forever because of all the work we did to get there. Just trying to have a more eternal perspective I guess.
It has gotten super cold here. I got out all my scarfs and jackets that have been packed away in my suitcase for 8 months. LOL! I like the cold but it is harder to contact people because every one is inside and warm. Plus- it gets dark by 5 pm. Little bit more rough as a missionary.
We had Presidents interviews on Thursday. It was exactly what I needed. President Saylin is such an amazing man. He told me I have done an amazing job building up the area. I really needed to hear that because it has been super hard. But I really feel like I have never had better investigators and I think it means more to me because I was the one who started it with all of them. I knew them from the beginning. I am really excited for what is to come in this area this next transfer. If all continues to go how it is now we should have 2 families baptized next month with 2 other women. So tight!
We ate lunch at a members house on Thursday and found out that her baby daughter has been super sick. Well, as we were teaching the lesson I asked if they had thought of a Priesthood blessing. Hermano has only been a member for two years and he said that he doesn't know how to give blessings. What good is the Priesthood if you don't know how to use it? I called up a Priesthood holder from the ward to come over and teach Hermano how to do it. I was so amazing to see him, so nervous and humble, put his hands on his baby's head and give her the cutest blessing ever. Hermana cried because her husband has been having a hard time going to church and just lost his job the day before. His spirit was low. What a great way to unify this family! I learned a lesson on the importance of the Priesthood that day and how the importance of having it in the home. How often do I take for granite the sacred power the Priesthood holders have? I need to do more to support the Priesthood.
We are working with this amazing family, Jorge and Dulce. They have two adorable little girls and have totally loved and accepted the gospel. We came back for the second visit and I asked how their prayers went. They had never prayed before. They both looked at each other and said "We are still a little uncomfortable praying. I mean we pray two times a day as a family now and say our personal prayers but we still feel nervous." I almost fell off my chair. How many members pray ONCE a day with their family? They are awesome. Dulce and her little girls came to church and LOVED it! Everyone thought they were already members. Jorge had to work(pray he can get next week off). AND they are actually married! 95% of Hispanic couples are not married. It is super hard cause we have to get people married before baptism. They have a baptismal date for Dec. 5th! YEAH! Most humble people I have ever met.
Transfer calls are next Monday. I think I might die if I have to leave this area. Literally. I think I say that every time but so far these are my favorite investigators. I love these people way too much. We will see what the Lord has in store for Hermana Richards. I only have 3 transfers left-sick. My gut is telling me I am going English next transfer....I hope not.
I love you all a lot. Sorry I am a slacker on writing letters. Just not enough time. Have some fun in the snow for me! Wal-mart totally has all of their Thanksgiving/Christmas stuff up. I all of the sudden got a huge craving for some of Grandma's cooking and pumpkin pie. Hispanics dont really celebrate thanksgiving so it might be just a normal day for me. We will see. Love ya!
Sarbear
-Elder Bruce C Hafen
On Friday night we brought our ward mission leader to a lesson with Jenny and Juan. I love them! Hermano was such a huge help and they committed to get work off so they can come to church. I sat down with their two little boys as we used my little pictures to put together the plan of happiness. I have been studying the Plan of Salvation a lot because I am working on re-doing my lesson plans and I am on the second lesson(The Plan of Salvation). The quote by Elder Bruce C. Hafen just hit me because its so true!
We have to be away from something to really appreciate it. For example, I have been away from my family for over a year and I feel like my love for you has grown stronger because I had to take a step back and realize what it felt like to not be with you. Once I get home I will better appreciate it because I will know what it means to be there. To be together again. It is the same with our Heavenly home. We will be thankful to live with our families and God forever because of all the work we did to get there. Just trying to have a more eternal perspective I guess.
It has gotten super cold here. I got out all my scarfs and jackets that have been packed away in my suitcase for 8 months. LOL! I like the cold but it is harder to contact people because every one is inside and warm. Plus- it gets dark by 5 pm. Little bit more rough as a missionary.
We had Presidents interviews on Thursday. It was exactly what I needed. President Saylin is such an amazing man. He told me I have done an amazing job building up the area. I really needed to hear that because it has been super hard. But I really feel like I have never had better investigators and I think it means more to me because I was the one who started it with all of them. I knew them from the beginning. I am really excited for what is to come in this area this next transfer. If all continues to go how it is now we should have 2 families baptized next month with 2 other women. So tight!
We ate lunch at a members house on Thursday and found out that her baby daughter has been super sick. Well, as we were teaching the lesson I asked if they had thought of a Priesthood blessing. Hermano has only been a member for two years and he said that he doesn't know how to give blessings. What good is the Priesthood if you don't know how to use it? I called up a Priesthood holder from the ward to come over and teach Hermano how to do it. I was so amazing to see him, so nervous and humble, put his hands on his baby's head and give her the cutest blessing ever. Hermana cried because her husband has been having a hard time going to church and just lost his job the day before. His spirit was low. What a great way to unify this family! I learned a lesson on the importance of the Priesthood that day and how the importance of having it in the home. How often do I take for granite the sacred power the Priesthood holders have? I need to do more to support the Priesthood.
We are working with this amazing family, Jorge and Dulce. They have two adorable little girls and have totally loved and accepted the gospel. We came back for the second visit and I asked how their prayers went. They had never prayed before. They both looked at each other and said "We are still a little uncomfortable praying. I mean we pray two times a day as a family now and say our personal prayers but we still feel nervous." I almost fell off my chair. How many members pray ONCE a day with their family? They are awesome. Dulce and her little girls came to church and LOVED it! Everyone thought they were already members. Jorge had to work(pray he can get next week off). AND they are actually married! 95% of Hispanic couples are not married. It is super hard cause we have to get people married before baptism. They have a baptismal date for Dec. 5th! YEAH! Most humble people I have ever met.
Transfer calls are next Monday. I think I might die if I have to leave this area. Literally. I think I say that every time but so far these are my favorite investigators. I love these people way too much. We will see what the Lord has in store for Hermana Richards. I only have 3 transfers left-sick. My gut is telling me I am going English next transfer....I hope not.
I love you all a lot. Sorry I am a slacker on writing letters. Just not enough time. Have some fun in the snow for me! Wal-mart totally has all of their Thanksgiving/Christmas stuff up. I all of the sudden got a huge craving for some of Grandma's cooking and pumpkin pie. Hispanics dont really celebrate thanksgiving so it might be just a normal day for me. We will see. Love ya!
Sarbear
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
November? Weird
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life...that the world through him might be saved." John 3-16-17
Yesterday we were OYMing(contacting) people in this apartment complex. I started talking to this woman about the gospel a little bit. She then proceeded to go off about how Christ was only a prophet and how he is just like you and me, etc. She was really forceful and told me that I was wrong and she hoped one day I would find the truth. I stood there and something deep inside of me stirred. I then testified that I KNOW that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That only through him are we able to receive eternal life. I felt a power as those words came out of my mouth. I had never felt more sure of anything I had said before. It was an experience that really helped my testimony grow. I guess the gospel has always just made so much sense to me that sometimes it really is sad when others do not have this knowledge. But that's why I am here! I will find you and I will teach you! I LOVE being a missionary. I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father because I am serving Him by serving His children.
I had to give a talk yesterday in church. I was super surprised at how comfortable I felt at the pulpit. Yes, my talk was in Spanish. Heavenly Father really blesses his missionaries. That's for sure. I sang a special musical number also. Who knew I wouldn't even be at all nervous to sing solos anymore? I guess I have done it so much that it doesn't even phase me. Plus, Hispanics think even if you can sing on key then you are superstar. LOL!
End of the month this week...which means out of mile for our car===BIKES! yeah! haha. NO, I really do like my bike. I just wish we didn't have to use so many miles on exchanges, meetings in the other mission, meetings with President Saylin, etc. Luckily it will start getting cool here. It is SUPER humid today. Feel like I walked into a shower.
We ate lunch at a member's house on Tuesday. While my companion was in the bathroom, the member and I decided to play a joke on Hermana Stevens. She had a chicken foot in the soup to give it flavor but we thought it would be funny if she put it in Hermana Stevens soup to "have her eat". You should have seen the face of Hermana when she saw her bowl. I deserve a Grammy award for how well I went along with things. I leaned over to her and said, "Hermana you cannot offend her. You have to eat it!" HAHAHA!!!! The member then busted out laughing form the kitchen. SO funny!!! I love the members. I love getting to know them and become friends with them.
Halloween was a normal day. We had to be in at 7:30 last night. I just cleaned and caught up with writing in my journal. But of course I ate some candy. LOL! There was a Halloween activity Saturday with 3 wards. I loved it cause the other wards were ones I have served in so I got to see the members and my recent converts and everything! Melody a cute 10 year old from my first area came running up to me and wouldn't let go of our hug. SO cute! She is the one I gave all that Twlight stuff you sent me last year.(did I tell you that...whoops-ya I give away a lot of stuff).
I cannot believe it is November! Anyone else wondering where the year went?? Thanksgiving is coming up soon! I don't think many Hispanics celebrate it cause they are not form here. oh well. I can eat lots of turkey next year :)
I hope all is well with you! Love you tons!
Sarah
Yesterday we were OYMing(contacting) people in this apartment complex. I started talking to this woman about the gospel a little bit. She then proceeded to go off about how Christ was only a prophet and how he is just like you and me, etc. She was really forceful and told me that I was wrong and she hoped one day I would find the truth. I stood there and something deep inside of me stirred. I then testified that I KNOW that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That only through him are we able to receive eternal life. I felt a power as those words came out of my mouth. I had never felt more sure of anything I had said before. It was an experience that really helped my testimony grow. I guess the gospel has always just made so much sense to me that sometimes it really is sad when others do not have this knowledge. But that's why I am here! I will find you and I will teach you! I LOVE being a missionary. I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father because I am serving Him by serving His children.
I had to give a talk yesterday in church. I was super surprised at how comfortable I felt at the pulpit. Yes, my talk was in Spanish. Heavenly Father really blesses his missionaries. That's for sure. I sang a special musical number also. Who knew I wouldn't even be at all nervous to sing solos anymore? I guess I have done it so much that it doesn't even phase me. Plus, Hispanics think even if you can sing on key then you are superstar. LOL!
End of the month this week...which means out of mile for our car===BIKES! yeah! haha. NO, I really do like my bike. I just wish we didn't have to use so many miles on exchanges, meetings in the other mission, meetings with President Saylin, etc. Luckily it will start getting cool here. It is SUPER humid today. Feel like I walked into a shower.
We ate lunch at a member's house on Tuesday. While my companion was in the bathroom, the member and I decided to play a joke on Hermana Stevens. She had a chicken foot in the soup to give it flavor but we thought it would be funny if she put it in Hermana Stevens soup to "have her eat". You should have seen the face of Hermana when she saw her bowl. I deserve a Grammy award for how well I went along with things. I leaned over to her and said, "Hermana you cannot offend her. You have to eat it!" HAHAHA!!!! The member then busted out laughing form the kitchen. SO funny!!! I love the members. I love getting to know them and become friends with them.
Halloween was a normal day. We had to be in at 7:30 last night. I just cleaned and caught up with writing in my journal. But of course I ate some candy. LOL! There was a Halloween activity Saturday with 3 wards. I loved it cause the other wards were ones I have served in so I got to see the members and my recent converts and everything! Melody a cute 10 year old from my first area came running up to me and wouldn't let go of our hug. SO cute! She is the one I gave all that Twlight stuff you sent me last year.(did I tell you that...whoops-ya I give away a lot of stuff).
I cannot believe it is November! Anyone else wondering where the year went?? Thanksgiving is coming up soon! I don't think many Hispanics celebrate it cause they are not form here. oh well. I can eat lots of turkey next year :)
I hope all is well with you! Love you tons!
Sarah
Happy Halloween
" The Book of Mormon teaches us truth and bears testimony of Christ. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called 'the words of life', and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon....'Every latter day saint whould make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit' ". ---Ezra Taft Benson
Recently I have been studying the Book of Mormon a lot. The importance of it and how it answers the questions of our soul. I love the Book of Mormon. " In a world ever more dangerous..the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world". (Boyd K. Packer) I just started reading the Book of Mormon again and I want to challenge all of you to read it with me. I have 5 months left of my mission which means you have to read 3 pages a day to finish by the time I get home. Will you do it? I promise you that if you do the Lord will bless you with the power to resist temptation and you will have the Spirit enter your heart and be a guide for you. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is true.
Ok....I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now. With exchanges, trainings, covering 2 areas, companion, etc. I just want to scream but I will save that for my pillow tonight while my comp is in the shower. I really am doing good. Just stressed. LOL! and we ALL know that Hermana Richards is not the best at handling stress. HAHA! We covered 2 areas most of last week and we are week two. It has been interesting. When I get nervous I bite my nails....whelp, my nails are super short night now. Cause I feel like my brain is going to explode. :)
At Jiffy Lube the other day they played Taylor Swift's new song. My heart literally hurt. I felt physical pain. :) HAHA!!! Even after a year I still love my Taylor Swift. Enjoy her new cd that comes out tomorrow. Think of me as you listen. LOL
My favorite investigator in my last area got baptized last week! Fransico-he is truly amazing. His Dad is a pastor in Honduras(intense). But he finally said he couldn't deny the spirit telling him that he needed to get baptized and follow this camino(road).He is the one who bought me a water fountain when I got transferred. I am so happy for him!
I found out my companion knows how to braid hair. Needless to say in the last week my hair has been braided 4 out of the 7 days. LOL! So much easier. Especially cause it is STILL HOT HERE! Yes who know I would sweat outside in the end of October? Welcome to Texas humidity.
We had some great lessons this last week. Jenny and Juan are still progressing. We taught them on Friday and we wanted to teach a third lesson(the gospel of Jesus Christ) but by the end of it we had taught a third, most of a 2nd, prayer, and church--Most intense 45 minutes! Luckily our member was the bomb.com and had answers for all of their questions.
Maygen---thanks for the conference talks! Exactly what I needed. You are awesome :)
Janet--the Halloween card is too cute! Man your kids look so big!
We found lots of new people this week. One day I think we walked for like 6 hours if not more. Luckily we had already met most of our goals so we weren't stressing about sit-downs. But my dogs were barking(maygen...thats for you). LOL
Ok...I feel like this email shows a ton of Hermana Richards sas/attitude. Sorry, been a long day-already. I hope you all have a fabulous Halloween!! It will be a normal day for me here. I love you!!!
Sarah
Recently I have been studying the Book of Mormon a lot. The importance of it and how it answers the questions of our soul. I love the Book of Mormon. " In a world ever more dangerous..the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world". (Boyd K. Packer) I just started reading the Book of Mormon again and I want to challenge all of you to read it with me. I have 5 months left of my mission which means you have to read 3 pages a day to finish by the time I get home. Will you do it? I promise you that if you do the Lord will bless you with the power to resist temptation and you will have the Spirit enter your heart and be a guide for you. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is true.
Ok....I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now. With exchanges, trainings, covering 2 areas, companion, etc. I just want to scream but I will save that for my pillow tonight while my comp is in the shower. I really am doing good. Just stressed. LOL! and we ALL know that Hermana Richards is not the best at handling stress. HAHA! We covered 2 areas most of last week and we are week two. It has been interesting. When I get nervous I bite my nails....whelp, my nails are super short night now. Cause I feel like my brain is going to explode. :)
At Jiffy Lube the other day they played Taylor Swift's new song. My heart literally hurt. I felt physical pain. :) HAHA!!! Even after a year I still love my Taylor Swift. Enjoy her new cd that comes out tomorrow. Think of me as you listen. LOL
My favorite investigator in my last area got baptized last week! Fransico-he is truly amazing. His Dad is a pastor in Honduras(intense). But he finally said he couldn't deny the spirit telling him that he needed to get baptized and follow this camino(road).He is the one who bought me a water fountain when I got transferred. I am so happy for him!
I found out my companion knows how to braid hair. Needless to say in the last week my hair has been braided 4 out of the 7 days. LOL! So much easier. Especially cause it is STILL HOT HERE! Yes who know I would sweat outside in the end of October? Welcome to Texas humidity.
We had some great lessons this last week. Jenny and Juan are still progressing. We taught them on Friday and we wanted to teach a third lesson(the gospel of Jesus Christ) but by the end of it we had taught a third, most of a 2nd, prayer, and church--Most intense 45 minutes! Luckily our member was the bomb.com and had answers for all of their questions.
Maygen---thanks for the conference talks! Exactly what I needed. You are awesome :)
Janet--the Halloween card is too cute! Man your kids look so big!
We found lots of new people this week. One day I think we walked for like 6 hours if not more. Luckily we had already met most of our goals so we weren't stressing about sit-downs. But my dogs were barking(maygen...thats for you). LOL
Ok...I feel like this email shows a ton of Hermana Richards sas/attitude. Sorry, been a long day-already. I hope you all have a fabulous Halloween!! It will be a normal day for me here. I love you!!!
Sarah
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