What an amazing week! Hermana Ruplinger and I worked so hard and saw so many miracles as a result! Jorge's baptism is scheduled for Sunday. That means my last day in my area and I will have a baptism. Pray that all goes well. I am so happy!!!! He picked that day because he said he would rather die than have me not be there. hahaha....i love these people.
We went over to this less-actives house to teach her. She is really lonely and she had just gotten finished telling us her mom might have cancer. She cried for a long time. I was really glad we were there because I have a really good relationship with her and could give her a hug and listen. Well, she always loves to give us a snack right before we leave. She asked if we wanted a peanut butter sandwich. I said "ya sure". She then saw the jelly and asked if we wanted peanut butter or jelly. I said "both!" She then laughed and gave me a weird face. I thought she was going to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Well, 2 minutes later I have 2 sandwiches in front of me, one with just peanut butter, the other with just jelly. I almost laughed out loud. She just got here from Guatemala and still doesn't know a lot of the American customs and foods. She didn't know that peanut butter and jelly go together. I just thought it was so cute! I would take a bite of the peanut butter sandwich then a bite of the jelly sandwich. HAHA!!!
It is so weird to me that I will be home next week. It actually doesn't at all seem real. I just love this work so much I can hardly think about not being a missionary anymore. I know that the Lord has other things planned for me and I have other missions to fulfill in my life. It is just hard to come to grips with. I love the people here so much and I know it will be tough for me to leave.
It is often said that the hardest things in life are the most worth it. I have come to find that to be true. My mission has been the hardest thing I have ever loved. And because of that I am so grateful to be a missionary.
God knows us individually. I know that. I have trusted Him and He has lifted me to a higher place. A place where things are clear and joy is found. I know my Heavenly Father loves me because He has stretched me, pulled me, and challenged me, but He has lead me, lifted me, and sanctified me. He knows our trials, our fears, and our deepest desires.
Jesus Christ suffered all so I can be made whole. There never has nor ever will be a greater manifestation of love that of that day in Gethsemane when He suffered for the world that we might live again.
Joseph Smith did in reality, see God, the Father and Jesus Christ in that sacred grove of trees. His prayer was answered and mine was too. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. There is a power within the pages of that book.
I am thankful for you- my family and friends. I have felt of your prayers and your letters helped me. Thank you for letting me have this opportunity to come closer to my Heavenly Father by serving His children.
I am so grateful for every experience I have had here on my mission. Every lesson, every chance I had to open my mouth, every time I had to ride around in the heat on my bike. I firmly believe that my life will be greater because of the decision I made to serve a mission. I am stronger. I am thankful because I have found myself here over these last 18 months. The scripture in Matthew that says "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" takes on greater significance to me because I have experienced it. I love the Lord! For "by small means the Lord can bring about great things."
I love you all so much!!!!! I will see you NEXT WEEK!!!!!
Hermana Richards :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
No Title
What a week! I wish I could express my joy and happiness to return to Galveston for a few days. It was exactly what I needed and was such a good experience for me. It just felt SO great to be on my bike again riding around next to the ocean and seeing all the people that I served. I saw basically the entire branch and they were all so exctied to see me. I didn't think little Victoria was going to let me go! I forgot how much I love it there. While I was there we visited a part-member family I worked with last summer. I know that it was inspired to have me go there because I had formed a good relationship with them. The Hermana cried when she saw me and she began to pour out her soul to me on how she had been feeling and trials she was facing. She stopped going to church because of some drama that happened within the branch. She was able to talk to me and open up. She said she hadn't felt comfortable with the other Hermanas to do so. I instantly felt that I was needed there at that time and no where else. It was so good to have the opportunity to go back to a place that has such a sacred place in my heart. I love Galveston. As we were riding our bikes I had the time to just think back on my mission and remember some very sacred and revelatory moments. These last few weeks have not been easy for me. I have had some very bitter-sweet moments that have cause a lot of tears. I am jsut so grateful for this time I have had to serve a mission. I wish I could explain into words the things I have learned and the many times I have felt the hand of the Lord direct me. Galveston helped me to remember all He has given me. It was a time and experience that I needed to just remember.
On Thursday we had the last day of our mission conference. Holy cow it was really hard.....I have just made some really good friendships and I basically bawled knowing that I had to say goodbye to some of these missionaries. It was just the last time to be there for mission stuff. I guess I sound like a huge baby....I am just sad to be leaving.
My week was just really good. BUT Hermana Ruplinger has been sick for 3 days straight. It has been an adventure. We have had to stay in a lot and I have been bored out of my mind in the apartment. I have done a lot of reading in my Book of Mormon. :)
I hope you are all doing excellent. I love you lots!!
Hermana Richards
On Thursday we had the last day of our mission conference. Holy cow it was really hard.....I have just made some really good friendships and I basically bawled knowing that I had to say goodbye to some of these missionaries. It was just the last time to be there for mission stuff. I guess I sound like a huge baby....I am just sad to be leaving.
My week was just really good. BUT Hermana Ruplinger has been sick for 3 days straight. It has been an adventure. We have had to stay in a lot and I have been bored out of my mind in the apartment. I have done a lot of reading in my Book of Mormon. :)
I hope you are all doing excellent. I love you lots!!
Hermana Richards
Going Back to Galvy!
I am going back to my favorite island today! Well, its only for 3 days but I am super excited!! I am going on exchanges with an Hermana there which I think will be really good because Hermana Ruplinger needs to take over our area here soon and this will get her prepared. I am really stoked to see all my favorite people on the island and ot be riding next to the ocean on my bike.....ahhhh....good memories. AND it is totally hot here again. So I get to work hard and sweat my last month. The humidity is what kills me....and my hair.
It seems as though the crap hit the fan this last week. 2 of our part-member families that we are working with are on the verge of separation. We had a charming lesson(sarcastic) with one of them that resulted in him telling us he doesnt want us to come over and her begging us to never leave. She was in tears. It is actually kind of comical that we (Hermana Ruplinger and I), the ONLY 2 Hermanas in the mission with divorced parents are trying to help families from killing one another. interesting.......I have been praying a lot. I love these people and can ardly imagine not being here with them....even if everything is a tranny mess.
Our cute little 9 year old investigator(her dad is a less active) bought us these cute cupcakes on friday. They were like the gourmet ones like from the cupcakery. She said that we needed something sweet after a long week. I love her!
I feel like I always give you random details of my week. I guess I stop talking about lessons and contacts because I have talked a lot about it in the past. My email are full of nothingness lately. :)
One example that an Hermana in our ward yesterday used in our lesson I really liked. She talked about how we need to be like telescopes. Because they are usually on hills away from the grime and grossness of the owrld so that it wont obscure its view. that is just like us. We need to lift ourselves above and out of the world in order to really see and have a more heavenly view.
I love you bunches!!! I hope to get a good missionary tan this week on my bike in Galveston!
Hermana Richards
It seems as though the crap hit the fan this last week. 2 of our part-member families that we are working with are on the verge of separation. We had a charming lesson(sarcastic) with one of them that resulted in him telling us he doesnt want us to come over and her begging us to never leave. She was in tears. It is actually kind of comical that we (Hermana Ruplinger and I), the ONLY 2 Hermanas in the mission with divorced parents are trying to help families from killing one another. interesting.......I have been praying a lot. I love these people and can ardly imagine not being here with them....even if everything is a tranny mess.
Our cute little 9 year old investigator(her dad is a less active) bought us these cute cupcakes on friday. They were like the gourmet ones like from the cupcakery. She said that we needed something sweet after a long week. I love her!
I feel like I always give you random details of my week. I guess I stop talking about lessons and contacts because I have talked a lot about it in the past. My email are full of nothingness lately. :)
One example that an Hermana in our ward yesterday used in our lesson I really liked. She talked about how we need to be like telescopes. Because they are usually on hills away from the grime and grossness of the owrld so that it wont obscure its view. that is just like us. We need to lift ourselves above and out of the world in order to really see and have a more heavenly view.
I love you bunches!!! I hope to get a good missionary tan this week on my bike in Galveston!
Hermana Richards
Here Comes the Sun
We have been on bikes a lot these last few days which means that I totally have my watch tan back! HAHA!! It is starting to get warm again which makes me happy because it is so much harder to do missionary work in the cold, just not as many people outside to contact. I love my bike becasue I am outside with all the people and am able to contact more. It makes me feel like more of a missionary.
We had a mission conference on Thursday and will have it every Thursday for het next 3 weeks. President Saylin is trying to get us all trained on some new material recieved from the brethren of the church. They make for really long days because from 7:30-6pm we learn and then role play. It is making me a better missionary even if I feel like I want to pull my hair out sometimes. :)
Dulce and Jorge have a friend that they referred us to and he is awesome! His name is Diego. Like off the kids show- Go Diego, Go! HAHA! We are meeting with him again today but he already loves reading his Book of Mormon. I called him to make daily contact and I asked about his reading. He then proceeded to teach me over the phone for 10 mintues about the doctrine of Christ and the importance of authority in baptism. Awesome much? I fully expect that in this next little while he will get baptized.
We went over to Hermana Latorre's apartment on Wednesday to help her wash her clothes. She simply cannot do it because she is still recovering from surgery. Well, as we were finishing putting her clothes in the drier I told her we would be back in 45 minutes to take them out because we have the goal to contact 10 people everyday per missionary. I told her that we needed a few more to be caught up. She then turned to me and said "what like 9?" HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! It was so true! She is so sassy. I really think that is why I love her so much. She is just an old version of myself.
We are doing a ton of great finding! We have our solid families that we are working with but need to find more investigators so we have hit the pavement and met some really great people that I am excited to teach. I pray that they will accept our message and progress.
At the conference on Thursday Sister Saylin gave a great talk on revelation. I realzed that I needed to turn more to my Heavenly Father for help in knowing what to do to help my investigators. I found myself relying too much on my own ideas and knowledge and not being so focuesed on receiving inspiration. I regret that. This last week I have turned to the Lord a lot in prayer and there is such a difference in the work. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!
I love you bunches!!
Hermana Richards
We had a mission conference on Thursday and will have it every Thursday for het next 3 weeks. President Saylin is trying to get us all trained on some new material recieved from the brethren of the church. They make for really long days because from 7:30-6pm we learn and then role play. It is making me a better missionary even if I feel like I want to pull my hair out sometimes. :)
Dulce and Jorge have a friend that they referred us to and he is awesome! His name is Diego. Like off the kids show- Go Diego, Go! HAHA! We are meeting with him again today but he already loves reading his Book of Mormon. I called him to make daily contact and I asked about his reading. He then proceeded to teach me over the phone for 10 mintues about the doctrine of Christ and the importance of authority in baptism. Awesome much? I fully expect that in this next little while he will get baptized.
We went over to Hermana Latorre's apartment on Wednesday to help her wash her clothes. She simply cannot do it because she is still recovering from surgery. Well, as we were finishing putting her clothes in the drier I told her we would be back in 45 minutes to take them out because we have the goal to contact 10 people everyday per missionary. I told her that we needed a few more to be caught up. She then turned to me and said "what like 9?" HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! It was so true! She is so sassy. I really think that is why I love her so much. She is just an old version of myself.
We are doing a ton of great finding! We have our solid families that we are working with but need to find more investigators so we have hit the pavement and met some really great people that I am excited to teach. I pray that they will accept our message and progress.
At the conference on Thursday Sister Saylin gave a great talk on revelation. I realzed that I needed to turn more to my Heavenly Father for help in knowing what to do to help my investigators. I found myself relying too much on my own ideas and knowledge and not being so focuesed on receiving inspiration. I regret that. This last week I have turned to the Lord a lot in prayer and there is such a difference in the work. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!
I love you bunches!!
Hermana Richards
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!!!
There is this cute little black baby playing next to me and is totally distracting me. Two minutes ago she was offering me some of her fruit snacks. LOL!! I miss playing with little kids.
Turns out Jorge is not getting baptized this week. He is still working on Sundays. I have complete faith that within these next two weeks he will get baptized. I talked with Dulce about it for a little while on Saturday night. That conversation is sacred to me. She just told me some really great things and an experience she had with the Spirit. She is just a really amazing person. I want you all to meet her.
Last night we were at our dinner appointment and while the food was finishing cooking the little girl decided she wanted to decorate my nails. So now I have a rainbow of designs on all of my fingers. I am not sure that is what the white handbook meant by having "conservative nail polish"....I will have to take it off today. :( But not before I take a picture.
I am getting really distracted today because also the Elders were showing me family pictures.....sorry. I feel like I get too antsy at the computer nowadays. I figure in a few weeks I can fill all of you in.
We went by Hermana Latorre's house because she is still recovering from surgery. She was "teaching" us how to cook. I put teaching in quotations because she is basically blind and it was more than an adventure to have her teach us. She kept telling us(insisting to us) that she is going to teach us how to cook so when we get married we fed our husbands. HAHA!! She is so crazy/awesome! Apparently I was using the wrong type of spoon when mixing and that I needed to put more strength in my arm when I stirred.
Julia gave her testimony last night at a fireside. She did such a good job! She was super nervous and even wrote it out for me to read to make sure it was ok. When she got up there she told me she just decided to follow the spirit and not use her notes. It turned out fabulous!
Our district went bowling last week for an activity and I still stink really bad. They were all trying to teach me/ show me......ya, didn't work. :)
We are having a mission conference every Thursday for the next 3 weeks to get more trainings from the brethern---which means more role-plays! :( I told my comp this morning after we role played in comp. study that I feel like my life is a role play! LOL!!!
Whelp, my mind is blank. I love you all a ton!! Remember that sacrifice brings blessings and that the greatest joy comes when we are living the gospel.
Sarbear
Turns out Jorge is not getting baptized this week. He is still working on Sundays. I have complete faith that within these next two weeks he will get baptized. I talked with Dulce about it for a little while on Saturday night. That conversation is sacred to me. She just told me some really great things and an experience she had with the Spirit. She is just a really amazing person. I want you all to meet her.
Last night we were at our dinner appointment and while the food was finishing cooking the little girl decided she wanted to decorate my nails. So now I have a rainbow of designs on all of my fingers. I am not sure that is what the white handbook meant by having "conservative nail polish"....I will have to take it off today. :( But not before I take a picture.
I am getting really distracted today because also the Elders were showing me family pictures.....sorry. I feel like I get too antsy at the computer nowadays. I figure in a few weeks I can fill all of you in.
We went by Hermana Latorre's house because she is still recovering from surgery. She was "teaching" us how to cook. I put teaching in quotations because she is basically blind and it was more than an adventure to have her teach us. She kept telling us(insisting to us) that she is going to teach us how to cook so when we get married we fed our husbands. HAHA!! She is so crazy/awesome! Apparently I was using the wrong type of spoon when mixing and that I needed to put more strength in my arm when I stirred.
Julia gave her testimony last night at a fireside. She did such a good job! She was super nervous and even wrote it out for me to read to make sure it was ok. When she got up there she told me she just decided to follow the spirit and not use her notes. It turned out fabulous!
Our district went bowling last week for an activity and I still stink really bad. They were all trying to teach me/ show me......ya, didn't work. :)
We are having a mission conference every Thursday for the next 3 weeks to get more trainings from the brethern---which means more role-plays! :( I told my comp this morning after we role played in comp. study that I feel like my life is a role play! LOL!!!
Whelp, my mind is blank. I love you all a ton!! Remember that sacrifice brings blessings and that the greatest joy comes when we are living the gospel.
Sarbear
Thursday, February 10, 2011
cold much?
Last Thursday and Friday because of the cold we were told that we could not use our cars. We were able to have members help us out a little bit and drive us around but it was difficult to find Hermanas that could and had access to a car. SO we were totally walking! I didn't mind so much walking around everywhere but it was so cold. For both days I wore 8 layers on top and I had 3 pairs of leggings and tights under my skirt. I am surprised I could even walk. LOL! It was kind of a trial. On Thursday Hermana Ruplinger made a birthday cake for one of our members....so we had to walk with the cake to her apartment in the freezing cold. She loved the cake and watching her little 1 year old get chocolate all over her face made it totally worth it!
We received transfer calls this morning. I am staying here with Hermana Ruplinger. So by the time I go home I will have had 7 months in this area. Crazy!! Well, because I know the ward and members so well it feels like home. The hard thing is that I feel as though I have taught my investigators all that I know and not sure what else to do to help them. I need to pray more to receive direction from Heavenly Father.
Jorge is getting his baptismal interview tomorrow and his baptism is scheduled for next week. I hope all things go as planned. The problem is his work. He just needs to have the faith that if he goes to church instead of work that God will provide a way. I am so happy for their family. :)
We had Stake Conference yesterday and it was fabulous! President Monson spoke via satellite and gave an amazing talk. It is amazing to me how I can basically understand anything in Spanish and how it was easy for me to follow and understand his talk in Spanish. He shared some amazing stories that made me cry. I love President Monson! Every time I hear him speak, the spirit testifies that he truly is a prophet of God. The spirit is an amazing gift that our Heavenly Father has given us. Especially to His missionaries.
Thank you for the Valentines package!!!! I gave the cute heart crafty thing to little Lupita and Ashely(Dulce's little girls). I am obsessed with them. After stake conference they saw me and came running down the aisle screaming to give me a hug! literally obsessed.
Well, another week is done. Talk to you next week! Love you bunches!!
Sarah
We received transfer calls this morning. I am staying here with Hermana Ruplinger. So by the time I go home I will have had 7 months in this area. Crazy!! Well, because I know the ward and members so well it feels like home. The hard thing is that I feel as though I have taught my investigators all that I know and not sure what else to do to help them. I need to pray more to receive direction from Heavenly Father.
Jorge is getting his baptismal interview tomorrow and his baptism is scheduled for next week. I hope all things go as planned. The problem is his work. He just needs to have the faith that if he goes to church instead of work that God will provide a way. I am so happy for their family. :)
We had Stake Conference yesterday and it was fabulous! President Monson spoke via satellite and gave an amazing talk. It is amazing to me how I can basically understand anything in Spanish and how it was easy for me to follow and understand his talk in Spanish. He shared some amazing stories that made me cry. I love President Monson! Every time I hear him speak, the spirit testifies that he truly is a prophet of God. The spirit is an amazing gift that our Heavenly Father has given us. Especially to His missionaries.
Thank you for the Valentines package!!!! I gave the cute heart crafty thing to little Lupita and Ashely(Dulce's little girls). I am obsessed with them. After stake conference they saw me and came running down the aisle screaming to give me a hug! literally obsessed.
Well, another week is done. Talk to you next week! Love you bunches!!
Sarah
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Happy Birthday Amanda!!!
Another week has gone by. Where do they go?? This week went well. We had zone conference last Wednesday and it is mission tour time so we had a member of the seventy there. It is always such a cool experience to hear from a member of the seventy. He was actually a little difficult to understand because he is from Paraguay and only has been here in the states for a few years. I would rather have had him speak Spanish. I don't know that all the English missionaries would have appreciated that. LOL!
This last week one of my favorite members had a surgery. She(Hna. Latorre) is pretty old and just struggles. She is basically blind as well. We usually go over to her apartment once a week to give her some company. Because she lives alone we decided to go over there more this last week because of her surgery. On Saturday while we were out proselyting I felt an impression to go visit her. Hermana Latorre had felt super sick all morning and thought she needed to go to the hospital. She immediately called her son to come get her and take her to the hospital but he lives 30 minutes away. She didn't know how she was going to make it that long. Right after she got off the phone with him she prayed, and asked Heavenly Father to send the missionaries to come help her. Hermana Ruplinger and I knocked on the door 2 minutes later. Then proceeded to be one of the most scary and stressful 30 minutes of my life. I was about to call an ambulance. At one point I was holding her and rocking her as she cried. I sat there and prayed to my Heavenly Father that it would all work out. As I was picking up the phone to call 911 her son knocked on the door and took her to he hospital. I really don't know if she would have been able to do it if we had not been there. I know that God hears and answers prayers. God knew hat she was in need and sent us there. Not two minutes after her prayer did we knock on the door! That is not just coincidence. I love the quote by Abraham Lincoln "I have been driven to my knees with the conviction that there was no where else to go." Hermana Latorre is now in the hospital. The incision from her surgery had opened and she was internally bleeding. The doctors don't know if she will live for very long. Hurts my soul. She is one of my favorites.
Last night there was a baptism for 3 people in the ward and because there were a lot of nonmembers Hermana Ruplinger and I gave a Restoration message while everyone was changing. There was TONS of people there and I was nervous because Hermana Ruplinger doesn't speak much Spanish and it was in front of such a huge crowd. We had role played the whole thing earlier that day but I really just wanted the people to feel the spirit as we taught. We got up there to teach in front of probably 100 people and my heart was pounding. Who knows why???......I have only taught the Restoration a million times. But it turned out SO well!! As I was saying the 1st vision I just felt the truthfulness of the message I was sharing. I felt the Spanish just flow out of my mouth so easily, almost too easily. I knew at that moment I had divine help. I have never had an easier time teaching and the spirit was strong. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for that tender mercy that He gave me in that moment. Even Hermana Ruplinger did great!!
Transfers are next week. My last transfer. It is really weird to think about. I really hope I can stay and finish my mission in this area because of the good relationship I have with the ward and investigators. It would be hard to leave for my last transfer. I am praying to stay ;)
I hope all is well with everyone!!! Go Steelers!! HAHA!
I love you! and I hope Amanda has a wonderful Birthday!
Hermana Richards
This last week one of my favorite members had a surgery. She(Hna. Latorre) is pretty old and just struggles. She is basically blind as well. We usually go over to her apartment once a week to give her some company. Because she lives alone we decided to go over there more this last week because of her surgery. On Saturday while we were out proselyting I felt an impression to go visit her. Hermana Latorre had felt super sick all morning and thought she needed to go to the hospital. She immediately called her son to come get her and take her to the hospital but he lives 30 minutes away. She didn't know how she was going to make it that long. Right after she got off the phone with him she prayed, and asked Heavenly Father to send the missionaries to come help her. Hermana Ruplinger and I knocked on the door 2 minutes later. Then proceeded to be one of the most scary and stressful 30 minutes of my life. I was about to call an ambulance. At one point I was holding her and rocking her as she cried. I sat there and prayed to my Heavenly Father that it would all work out. As I was picking up the phone to call 911 her son knocked on the door and took her to he hospital. I really don't know if she would have been able to do it if we had not been there. I know that God hears and answers prayers. God knew hat she was in need and sent us there. Not two minutes after her prayer did we knock on the door! That is not just coincidence. I love the quote by Abraham Lincoln "I have been driven to my knees with the conviction that there was no where else to go." Hermana Latorre is now in the hospital. The incision from her surgery had opened and she was internally bleeding. The doctors don't know if she will live for very long. Hurts my soul. She is one of my favorites.
Last night there was a baptism for 3 people in the ward and because there were a lot of nonmembers Hermana Ruplinger and I gave a Restoration message while everyone was changing. There was TONS of people there and I was nervous because Hermana Ruplinger doesn't speak much Spanish and it was in front of such a huge crowd. We had role played the whole thing earlier that day but I really just wanted the people to feel the spirit as we taught. We got up there to teach in front of probably 100 people and my heart was pounding. Who knows why???......I have only taught the Restoration a million times. But it turned out SO well!! As I was saying the 1st vision I just felt the truthfulness of the message I was sharing. I felt the Spanish just flow out of my mouth so easily, almost too easily. I knew at that moment I had divine help. I have never had an easier time teaching and the spirit was strong. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for that tender mercy that He gave me in that moment. Even Hermana Ruplinger did great!!
Transfers are next week. My last transfer. It is really weird to think about. I really hope I can stay and finish my mission in this area because of the good relationship I have with the ward and investigators. It would be hard to leave for my last transfer. I am praying to stay ;)
I hope all is well with everyone!!! Go Steelers!! HAHA!
I love you! and I hope Amanda has a wonderful Birthday!
Hermana Richards
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Create a Masterpiece of Your Life
"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." -Albert Camus
I came across this quote....now I don't remember from what. I think it is from a talk. I was reading and studying so many things this last week. One of them being the talk by Elder Wirthlin called "The Abundant Life". Such an amazing talk. I think that often we are so caught up in the future and what is to come that we don't enjoy the moment and what we have going for us right now. I definitely do not wish away this time right now I have in my life, for I know that I will really miss it. Even the moments when I m contacting people in the freezing weather and people are hating on me. It is all about perspective. Enjoy life and enjoy it now. Create a masterpiece of your life!
I was also studying a talk by Neal A. Maxwell....it blew my mind. I have read it three times and I am still trying to capture it all. It is called "Consecrate thy performance" It is just exactly what I am trying to do to change. Not leaving any portion of myself but giving it all to the Lord. Being swallowed up in the will of the Father and not what the world or myself thinks is what will bring me joy. How could I not give of myself to the Lord? Because it is when I lose life for the Lord that I really find it.
This week went well. I cannot believe how fast time is going. Our zone had a really fun zone activity last p-day. Basically a bunch of relay races. Whose team won, you ask? YEAH!! We totally dominated. I was really fun. Its funny how little activities are so exciting in the missionary life. LOL!
We found this really cool new family. I am really excited. They have 3 kids and seem really ready and receptive to the gospel. We are visiting them today and extending a baptismal date. I pray they accept it.
Last time we went to Julia's house my hands weer freezing because I didn't have gloves. She kept talking about how cold it is outside and how I need to keep myself warm to not get sick. So she totally went out and bought us gloves and gave them to another Hermana that we were having our dinner appointment that night. I love Julia. She included a cute note telling me how much she loves me and how she will be forever grateful for the gift I have brought into her life, the gospel. I didn't do anything seriously. She was the one ready and prepared by Heavenly Father. The people here would seriously give you anything if they knew you needed it. Very humble.
We were walking to an appt and this young teenager turns and looks at my companion and I and gives us a dirty look. Hermana Ruplinger says, " wow, I don't think she likes us very much" I said "no....she isn't looking at us. " Then the girl turns and yells "curse ya'll mormons!!!!" I couldn't help but laugh! She was looking at us. Whelp, welcome to missionary work. I think I have become desensitized to weird things like that. LOL
Work goes forth and I am receiving many blessings! Many I do not deserve.
I love you!!
Hermana Richards
I came across this quote....now I don't remember from what. I think it is from a talk. I was reading and studying so many things this last week. One of them being the talk by Elder Wirthlin called "The Abundant Life". Such an amazing talk. I think that often we are so caught up in the future and what is to come that we don't enjoy the moment and what we have going for us right now. I definitely do not wish away this time right now I have in my life, for I know that I will really miss it. Even the moments when I m contacting people in the freezing weather and people are hating on me. It is all about perspective. Enjoy life and enjoy it now. Create a masterpiece of your life!
I was also studying a talk by Neal A. Maxwell....it blew my mind. I have read it three times and I am still trying to capture it all. It is called "Consecrate thy performance" It is just exactly what I am trying to do to change. Not leaving any portion of myself but giving it all to the Lord. Being swallowed up in the will of the Father and not what the world or myself thinks is what will bring me joy. How could I not give of myself to the Lord? Because it is when I lose life for the Lord that I really find it.
This week went well. I cannot believe how fast time is going. Our zone had a really fun zone activity last p-day. Basically a bunch of relay races. Whose team won, you ask? YEAH!! We totally dominated. I was really fun. Its funny how little activities are so exciting in the missionary life. LOL!
We found this really cool new family. I am really excited. They have 3 kids and seem really ready and receptive to the gospel. We are visiting them today and extending a baptismal date. I pray they accept it.
Last time we went to Julia's house my hands weer freezing because I didn't have gloves. She kept talking about how cold it is outside and how I need to keep myself warm to not get sick. So she totally went out and bought us gloves and gave them to another Hermana that we were having our dinner appointment that night. I love Julia. She included a cute note telling me how much she loves me and how she will be forever grateful for the gift I have brought into her life, the gospel. I didn't do anything seriously. She was the one ready and prepared by Heavenly Father. The people here would seriously give you anything if they knew you needed it. Very humble.
We were walking to an appt and this young teenager turns and looks at my companion and I and gives us a dirty look. Hermana Ruplinger says, " wow, I don't think she likes us very much" I said "no....she isn't looking at us. " Then the girl turns and yells "curse ya'll mormons!!!!" I couldn't help but laugh! She was looking at us. Whelp, welcome to missionary work. I think I have become desensitized to weird things like that. LOL
Work goes forth and I am receiving many blessings! Many I do not deserve.
I love you!!
Hermana Richards
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Kaden Tyler= mi amor!!!
I am officially obsessed with my baby nephew! HAHA!!! I think it's sad that Amanda is sick all the time though. But I LOVE the name that they chose for him. YAY!!
We got to go on and explored mormon.org last week and we were looking at some of the profiles. Maygen--LOVED your profile. You look beautiful in your pic. Everyone else needs to make a profile!! Our mission President is asking us missionaries to make one as well. Not sure when, but soon. You all can go on and stalk me ;)
Last week we gave Juan a copy of The Testaments because he loves watching movies. We came back on Tuesday and he had watched it 3 times! Jenny, his wife(girlfriend really), said "he wont tell you because he is embarrassed but he cried every time at the end when Jesus came." You have to know Juan, he is this big Hispanic man that works in construction. He barely prays because it may show too much feeling. It is really cool to see how much they have progressed. Pray that they can make the decision to get married and then baptized. Tong we are bringing the hammer down on Word of Wisdom!
It has gotten SO cold here. I forgot how cold it can really get here. I now wear tights and leggings under my skirts to stay warm.
Julia, my recent convert, went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead on Friday and loved it! How great that she could go to the temple and feel of the great spirit there within one week of her baptism. She is awesome.
I was thinking/talking to Hermana Ruplinger yesterday and it amazes me how different my life is now in comparison to a year and a half ago. Basically everything has changed. But the cool thing is that I feel like I have found so much more of myself by removing myself from all the worldly influences. Things that used to define who I was before do not even have a place in my life. And I am better! Its just a weird feeling.
My favorite way to contact people is when I can start it with football. HAHA!! This man the other day was walking across the street in full Steelers gear! I could not NOT talk to him! He then proceeded to tell me a play by play of the game Saturday night. HAHA!!
I love receiving mail and emails but the problem is that it costs(what is that meaning in english?.....it is questa is spanish.....um....it takes me a lot...i dont know. My English is so messed up) me a lot to write. I have NO desire to write letters or emails anymore. I am so sorry. I really just don't want to. LOL! Sorry if I have been a slacker on letters and my emails are lame.
Have a fantabulous week! Good luck with starting school everyone! love you
Sarah
We got to go on and explored mormon.org last week and we were looking at some of the profiles. Maygen--LOVED your profile. You look beautiful in your pic. Everyone else needs to make a profile!! Our mission President is asking us missionaries to make one as well. Not sure when, but soon. You all can go on and stalk me ;)
Last week we gave Juan a copy of The Testaments because he loves watching movies. We came back on Tuesday and he had watched it 3 times! Jenny, his wife(girlfriend really), said "he wont tell you because he is embarrassed but he cried every time at the end when Jesus came." You have to know Juan, he is this big Hispanic man that works in construction. He barely prays because it may show too much feeling. It is really cool to see how much they have progressed. Pray that they can make the decision to get married and then baptized. Tong we are bringing the hammer down on Word of Wisdom!
It has gotten SO cold here. I forgot how cold it can really get here. I now wear tights and leggings under my skirts to stay warm.
Julia, my recent convert, went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead on Friday and loved it! How great that she could go to the temple and feel of the great spirit there within one week of her baptism. She is awesome.
I was thinking/talking to Hermana Ruplinger yesterday and it amazes me how different my life is now in comparison to a year and a half ago. Basically everything has changed. But the cool thing is that I feel like I have found so much more of myself by removing myself from all the worldly influences. Things that used to define who I was before do not even have a place in my life. And I am better! Its just a weird feeling.
My favorite way to contact people is when I can start it with football. HAHA!! This man the other day was walking across the street in full Steelers gear! I could not NOT talk to him! He then proceeded to tell me a play by play of the game Saturday night. HAHA!!
I love receiving mail and emails but the problem is that it costs(what is that meaning in english?.....it is questa is spanish.....um....it takes me a lot...i dont know. My English is so messed up) me a lot to write. I have NO desire to write letters or emails anymore. I am so sorry. I really just don't want to. LOL! Sorry if I have been a slacker on letters and my emails are lame.
Have a fantabulous week! Good luck with starting school everyone! love you
Sarah
Thank goodness for soup and crackers :)
I was reading this amazing talk by Elder Holland and one of my favorite quotes is this: "Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted in it, it is right now." I think sometimes we can doubt ourselves and the decisions we have made. I believe firmly that the Lord gives us guidance but then expects us to go and do. Don't doubt only believe. I know that He has a plan for each of us. Don't doubt that you were supposed to move or go to a certain school, at first I doubted if I was really cut out to be a missionary. I shouldn't have doubted that witness I received. If it was right then, it is right now. Dont doubt cause it gets tough.
Remember last week when my companion was super sick and throwing up?? Whelp.....my greatest dream came true. I was super sick Saturday and yesterday with the same thing. I literally thought I was going to die. Death probably would have been more enjoyable. HAHA!! The zone leaders in my district came over to give me a blessing and brought a member with them. I officially received my first blessing in Spanish. It was actually a really cool experience. I understood everything that was said and the spirit was strong. Later Sat. afternoon I thought that we should probably go to the store to get me some sprite and soup, ya know sick person stuff. But the thought of prying myself off the bathroom floor made me want to hurt myself. I prayed silently that the Lord would provide a way for me to get the stuff I needed. 2 minutes later there was a knock on the door and the Elders had come back with tons of groceries for me. They bought tons! I almost started crying. It was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. Super nice of them.
We had an investigator fireside last night and my recent convert Dulce was asked to speak. She did AMAZING!!!! She got there and told me that on the car ride she was looking through her Book of Mormon and found this scripture and she felt the spirit tell her to share it. She asked me to read it and see if it was good. She then told me it was Moroni 10:3-5. I kinda laughed silently to myself and said "yes, that would be perfect". She was nervous cause because she said " she still is isn't used to feeling and recognizing the spirit". I am obsessed with her. Her husband, Jorge, is doing great! He finally after a miracle(story for another email) got work off and was able to come to church. He is really excited to get baptized. If all goes well and as planned he will be baptized Feb 4th. I feel really blessed to have taught Dulce and her family. She is basically my best friend in the mission. Just a different connection. I love her a lot. And her little girls too! I gave them the children's songs on Cd and I guess they play "I hope they call me on a mission" over and over again. Lupita yesterday told me she wants to be my companion. HAHA!!! I'm down with that! Too bad she is 4 years old. LOL!!
I am doing good. Hermana Ruplinger is doing awesome! It is super cold today and I think because my immune system was down for a few days I picked up a sore throat. Lovely. Life goes on...
OK!!!! Shout out to AMANDA!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am obsessed with the thought of having a baby nephew :)
LOVES!!
Hermana Richards
Remember last week when my companion was super sick and throwing up?? Whelp.....my greatest dream came true. I was super sick Saturday and yesterday with the same thing. I literally thought I was going to die. Death probably would have been more enjoyable. HAHA!! The zone leaders in my district came over to give me a blessing and brought a member with them. I officially received my first blessing in Spanish. It was actually a really cool experience. I understood everything that was said and the spirit was strong. Later Sat. afternoon I thought that we should probably go to the store to get me some sprite and soup, ya know sick person stuff. But the thought of prying myself off the bathroom floor made me want to hurt myself. I prayed silently that the Lord would provide a way for me to get the stuff I needed. 2 minutes later there was a knock on the door and the Elders had come back with tons of groceries for me. They bought tons! I almost started crying. It was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. Super nice of them.
We had an investigator fireside last night and my recent convert Dulce was asked to speak. She did AMAZING!!!! She got there and told me that on the car ride she was looking through her Book of Mormon and found this scripture and she felt the spirit tell her to share it. She asked me to read it and see if it was good. She then told me it was Moroni 10:3-5. I kinda laughed silently to myself and said "yes, that would be perfect". She was nervous cause because she said " she still is isn't used to feeling and recognizing the spirit". I am obsessed with her. Her husband, Jorge, is doing great! He finally after a miracle(story for another email) got work off and was able to come to church. He is really excited to get baptized. If all goes well and as planned he will be baptized Feb 4th. I feel really blessed to have taught Dulce and her family. She is basically my best friend in the mission. Just a different connection. I love her a lot. And her little girls too! I gave them the children's songs on Cd and I guess they play "I hope they call me on a mission" over and over again. Lupita yesterday told me she wants to be my companion. HAHA!!! I'm down with that! Too bad she is 4 years old. LOL!!
I am doing good. Hermana Ruplinger is doing awesome! It is super cold today and I think because my immune system was down for a few days I picked up a sore throat. Lovely. Life goes on...
OK!!!! Shout out to AMANDA!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am obsessed with the thought of having a baby nephew :)
LOVES!!
Hermana Richards
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
PS
Family!
My address is still the same. I didn't move areas just changed companions.
Hermana Richards
6601 Harbor Town Dr. #1222
Houston, TX 77036
Love you lots!
My address is still the same. I didn't move areas just changed companions.
Hermana Richards
6601 Harbor Town Dr. #1222
Houston, TX 77036
Love you lots!
Happy New Year!
" The most difficult thing- but an essential one- is to love life, to love it even while one suffers, because life is all, life is God, and to love life means to love God."
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Yay! I cannot believe that it is 2011. I do not have the slightest clue where the year went. Crazy! I am excited for what this new year has to bring.
Julia was baptized on Sunday. It went perfect. The ward really stepped up and did their part making it less stressful on me. I sent some pictures yesterday. It was a really good day. FINALLY---JULIA GOT BAPTIZED! :)
My new companion is Hermana Ruplinger and she is from Orem Utah. It has been an adventure that's for sure. On Wednesday morning President Saylin had a meeting with all the trainers. I almost cried through the entire thing(almost) because 1-I really missed my trainer, Hermana Hammar. It made me realize how much she did for me and how much I love her. 2-I was scared out of my mind! HAHA!! Training is hard! I have to basically be perfect all the time. I have to speak Spanish all the time(I should be doing that anyway) and the whole salvation of your area is on your shoulders because your comp is new and doesn't know anything yet(Breath). HAHA!! I am doing ok. HAHA!!! Most of the time I find it kind of comical(kind of). BUT she is really nice! She was born in Germany and speaks fluent German. So she doesn't know really any Spanish. I have really had to teach almost everything. Its a little weird.
On Friday night we had to be in early because of New Years. Well, about 2:30 am my companion starts throwing up. She got some weird bug and didn't stop till about 3pm that next day. We had to spend the entire day inside cause she felt like she was going to die. Poor girl. I felt SO bad! Welcome to Texas!.....sick for 3 days straight.She tries really hard to speak Spanish and really loves being a missionary. I am just trying to better help her be involved in the lessons. She cannot understand much of what is going on and can bear a simple testimony. Lets just say that I have spent a lot of time on my knees. :)
We are emailing on Tuesday because the library was closed yesterday. Then this morning we went on a 4 hour road trip to the doctor. The mission doctor is that far away and in the middle of nowhere! At one point I was going 10 miles an hour following a tractor(I think that's what it was). HAHA!!! We went to try and figure out my migraines. He was nice and had awesome suggestions.
I am doing good. I feel like I don't have a minute to myself but I am over it. I figure that the Lord will help me continue to press on and He will give me the strength that I need. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and this opportunity I have to grow and learn. I love the quote at the beginning of my email. Hermana Ruplinger's mom gave it to her. If I love the Lord then I will be willing to do anything for Him even if it hurts sometimes. :)
I love you!
Hermana Richards
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Yay! I cannot believe that it is 2011. I do not have the slightest clue where the year went. Crazy! I am excited for what this new year has to bring.
Julia was baptized on Sunday. It went perfect. The ward really stepped up and did their part making it less stressful on me. I sent some pictures yesterday. It was a really good day. FINALLY---JULIA GOT BAPTIZED! :)
My new companion is Hermana Ruplinger and she is from Orem Utah. It has been an adventure that's for sure. On Wednesday morning President Saylin had a meeting with all the trainers. I almost cried through the entire thing(almost) because 1-I really missed my trainer, Hermana Hammar. It made me realize how much she did for me and how much I love her. 2-I was scared out of my mind! HAHA!! Training is hard! I have to basically be perfect all the time. I have to speak Spanish all the time(I should be doing that anyway) and the whole salvation of your area is on your shoulders because your comp is new and doesn't know anything yet(Breath). HAHA!! I am doing ok. HAHA!!! Most of the time I find it kind of comical(kind of). BUT she is really nice! She was born in Germany and speaks fluent German. So she doesn't know really any Spanish. I have really had to teach almost everything. Its a little weird.
On Friday night we had to be in early because of New Years. Well, about 2:30 am my companion starts throwing up. She got some weird bug and didn't stop till about 3pm that next day. We had to spend the entire day inside cause she felt like she was going to die. Poor girl. I felt SO bad! Welcome to Texas!.....sick for 3 days straight.She tries really hard to speak Spanish and really loves being a missionary. I am just trying to better help her be involved in the lessons. She cannot understand much of what is going on and can bear a simple testimony. Lets just say that I have spent a lot of time on my knees. :)
We are emailing on Tuesday because the library was closed yesterday. Then this morning we went on a 4 hour road trip to the doctor. The mission doctor is that far away and in the middle of nowhere! At one point I was going 10 miles an hour following a tractor(I think that's what it was). HAHA!!! We went to try and figure out my migraines. He was nice and had awesome suggestions.
I am doing good. I feel like I don't have a minute to myself but I am over it. I figure that the Lord will help me continue to press on and He will give me the strength that I need. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and this opportunity I have to grow and learn. I love the quote at the beginning of my email. Hermana Ruplinger's mom gave it to her. If I love the Lord then I will be willing to do anything for Him even if it hurts sometimes. :)
I love you!
Hermana Richards
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas Awesomeness!!
First off, it was so great to talk to all of you on Christmas! I loved hearing your voices and laughing with you(even though I was literally sitting in a closet, HAHA!). My Christmas was SO amazing!
Wednesday-Dulce got her hair and make-up done by a cosmetologist in the ward. She said she had never got her hair done before and felt so special. She had gone out and bought a beautiful pink dress to wear and her two little girls looked so cute! Jorge had a full suit with matching tie and everything. We got to the church and I did a photo shot for them by the trees outside the church. We then went in and the Bishop married them. It was a little weird cause Dulce had asked me to be a witness which means they had to announce my first name in front of basically the whole ward. Right after the wedding Dulce went and changed into her white dress. We took a few more pics and then she got baptized. It was SO amazing! I was waiting by the side of the font to give her a towel when she got out and then went to the bathroom to help her. I cried while she got baptized. We then walk into the bathroom and she just stands there and puts her hands to her face and starts bawling. I gave her a huge hug(yes I got soaking wet) and she just kept telling us thank you. I was probably one of the most incredible moments of my mission. There in the bathroom, her dripping wet, crying. I LOVE her!! She is not just an investigator(well recent convert now), she is my friend. I love her so much! I got her a framed picture of the Houston temple so she can always remember her goal. The next time we came to her house she had it hung up right next to the Family Proclamation. HAHa....I really dont know if I could be more obsessed with her or her little girls. Dulce said that Lupita(the 4 year old) always asks when Hermana Richard(no s) is coming by. Dulce said once I go home she will probably ship Lupita to me in a box cause she always wants to be with me. I would be ok with that! LOL!! Lupita came running up to me after Primary on Sunday and dropped all her candy on the way. SO CUTE! I really want you all to meet them.
Chirstmas eve and day went perfect! We Ended up having over 100 presents to give out to the little kids(I sent pictures). Hermana Stevens and I were wrapping for SO long. But I wish you could have seen the face of those little kids when we ave the presents out! I was probably the best Christmas I have ever had! The funnest was when we would leave the presents on the doorstep and then knock and run. Some of the ward members suspect it was us because I made sugar cookies as well and no Hispanic would do that they said, only a gringa. LOL! I loved it!
I received a phone call from my mission President Sunday night and he asked me to train a new missionary. I reluctantly accepted the assignment. He said he has felt for a long time that I needed to train this Hermana. There are just SO many more Hermanas that are just as old as I am and probably have much better Spanish than me. I hung up the phone and cried. Super stressful!! I told him at the beginning of my mission that I never wanted to train and he knew that. I just didn't want the stress and I didn't want to mess it up. Luckily, I had an amazing trainer and I really want to be a friend to her like Hermana Hammar was with me. The first few transfers of the mission are super hard and she will probably be homesick. I pray that I can help her love the mission and I hope I can be a really good friend to her. Please pray for me!
Julia is all ready and set for her baptism on Sunday! We had a lesson with her last night and she is so ready. She just kept talking about how she feels a such peace with her decision. Her cute little 8 year old boy Kevin(baptized just a few months ago) is going to say a prayer and I have a group of kids in the ward that are going to do a cute musical number. I am really excited for her! Pray that all goes as planned.
OK---so we recieved this awesome training last week about mormon.org....you HAVE to go on there. They have redone everything and it will help so much in spreading the gospel. There are these "I am a Mormon" movies that are amazing. My favorite one is Paris. You will have to go on and watch it! Also....go on and make a profile. We are trained now to have every member go on and make a profile. You will need your membership record and confirmation date. DO IT! Also, put it on your facebook or share the link with friends. I sound so much like a missionary right now. LOL!! It is just an easy way to share the gospel without feeling awkward.
I am so thankful for each of you!!! All the kids presents you sent. I cant tell you how much it helped these people and how much they appriciated it. You are amazing! I love you so much!!! Have a fabulous week!
Hermana Ricarda!
Wednesday-Dulce got her hair and make-up done by a cosmetologist in the ward. She said she had never got her hair done before and felt so special. She had gone out and bought a beautiful pink dress to wear and her two little girls looked so cute! Jorge had a full suit with matching tie and everything. We got to the church and I did a photo shot for them by the trees outside the church. We then went in and the Bishop married them. It was a little weird cause Dulce had asked me to be a witness which means they had to announce my first name in front of basically the whole ward. Right after the wedding Dulce went and changed into her white dress. We took a few more pics and then she got baptized. It was SO amazing! I was waiting by the side of the font to give her a towel when she got out and then went to the bathroom to help her. I cried while she got baptized. We then walk into the bathroom and she just stands there and puts her hands to her face and starts bawling. I gave her a huge hug(yes I got soaking wet) and she just kept telling us thank you. I was probably one of the most incredible moments of my mission. There in the bathroom, her dripping wet, crying. I LOVE her!! She is not just an investigator(well recent convert now), she is my friend. I love her so much! I got her a framed picture of the Houston temple so she can always remember her goal. The next time we came to her house she had it hung up right next to the Family Proclamation. HAHa....I really dont know if I could be more obsessed with her or her little girls. Dulce said that Lupita(the 4 year old) always asks when Hermana Richard(no s) is coming by. Dulce said once I go home she will probably ship Lupita to me in a box cause she always wants to be with me. I would be ok with that! LOL!! Lupita came running up to me after Primary on Sunday and dropped all her candy on the way. SO CUTE! I really want you all to meet them.
Chirstmas eve and day went perfect! We Ended up having over 100 presents to give out to the little kids(I sent pictures). Hermana Stevens and I were wrapping for SO long. But I wish you could have seen the face of those little kids when we ave the presents out! I was probably the best Christmas I have ever had! The funnest was when we would leave the presents on the doorstep and then knock and run. Some of the ward members suspect it was us because I made sugar cookies as well and no Hispanic would do that they said, only a gringa. LOL! I loved it!
I received a phone call from my mission President Sunday night and he asked me to train a new missionary. I reluctantly accepted the assignment. He said he has felt for a long time that I needed to train this Hermana. There are just SO many more Hermanas that are just as old as I am and probably have much better Spanish than me. I hung up the phone and cried. Super stressful!! I told him at the beginning of my mission that I never wanted to train and he knew that. I just didn't want the stress and I didn't want to mess it up. Luckily, I had an amazing trainer and I really want to be a friend to her like Hermana Hammar was with me. The first few transfers of the mission are super hard and she will probably be homesick. I pray that I can help her love the mission and I hope I can be a really good friend to her. Please pray for me!
Julia is all ready and set for her baptism on Sunday! We had a lesson with her last night and she is so ready. She just kept talking about how she feels a such peace with her decision. Her cute little 8 year old boy Kevin(baptized just a few months ago) is going to say a prayer and I have a group of kids in the ward that are going to do a cute musical number. I am really excited for her! Pray that all goes as planned.
OK---so we recieved this awesome training last week about mormon.org....you HAVE to go on there. They have redone everything and it will help so much in spreading the gospel. There are these "I am a Mormon" movies that are amazing. My favorite one is Paris. You will have to go on and watch it! Also....go on and make a profile. We are trained now to have every member go on and make a profile. You will need your membership record and confirmation date. DO IT! Also, put it on your facebook or share the link with friends. I sound so much like a missionary right now. LOL!! It is just an easy way to share the gospel without feeling awkward.
I am so thankful for each of you!!! All the kids presents you sent. I cant tell you how much it helped these people and how much they appriciated it. You are amazing! I love you so much!!! Have a fabulous week!
Hermana Ricarda!
I'll Be Home for Christmas
There is a reason I put that as my email subject. Not necessarily because I wish I was home for Christmas. I was reading a talk by President Eyring this week entitled "Home for Christmas". He talks about our longing for our eternal home. If we during this season feel the need and longing for home, how much does our Heavenly Father want us to come home to Him one day. One of my favorite quotes from the talk is:
"There have been times, often at Christmas, when we have felt parts of what we will experience when we at last come home to the father who loves us and answers our prayers and to the Savior who has lightened our lives and lifted us up I testify that because of Him, you may have an assurance that you can go home not only at Christmastime but also to live forever with a family whom you love and who love each other."
I love Christmas. I think I have been very blessed this season with not really any homesickness. I think that the people I am serving here have filled that void for me. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for how much He has blessed me recently. What a wonderful time to be a missionary! Hermana Stevens and I this morning were preparing our Christmas message that we will be sharing Christmas Eve and Christmas. I, of course, had to have a theme and visual aid. We are using the star and how the Wise Men used the star to find Christ. And when they found Him they bowed down and worshiped Him. Oh how great it would be if we could find our Savior this year but, in our hearts. Let us use the star that is placed in our time so that we may find the Savior. The star could be many things....the scriptures, prayer, the prophet. But lets go out, like the wise men and look for Him, and when we find Him let us bow down and worship Him.
Guess what???!! Dulce and Jorge are getting married on wednesday and right after Dulce is getting baptized!! I for these last 2 weeks have been working my butt off. Calling the court house, Mexican consulate, getting plans ready, PLANNING A WEDDING, and baptism..etc....Dont worry-I have a cosmotoligist in the ward doing her hair, the Relief Society is doing a few gorge decorations and refreshments. I am SO excited! Who knew I would be planning a wedding on my mission. Dulce is so amazing! I also have a framed picture of the Houston Temple to give to them as a wedding gift so they can focus on their goal of gettting sealed as a family. I am really trying to make Wednesday a special day for them. I will take pictures adn get them to you next week. Pray that everything comes together!
Julia is either getting baptized this Sunday or next. I hope this Sunday because I want to be in this area for her baptism. We are meeting with her this afternoon to decide on a date.
I totally am sick! I have a nasty cough. I hope that I have a voice to talk to ya'll on saturday. I lost my voice Friday and Saturday last weekend. Dont worry mom, I am taking plenty of meds adn drinking OJ like it is going out of style. LOL!
We have Christmas Zone conference on Thursday. I am excited! We then have plans to go by Christmas Eve and Christmas day to members, investigators, everyone and bring sugar cookies and share our Christmas message. "Its the most wonderful time of the year!"
Well, I gotta run cause we have a short p-day today. Not much time. I love you and am SOSOSO excited to talk to you on Saturday!
Sarah
"There have been times, often at Christmas, when we have felt parts of what we will experience when we at last come home to the father who loves us and answers our prayers and to the Savior who has lightened our lives and lifted us up I testify that because of Him, you may have an assurance that you can go home not only at Christmastime but also to live forever with a family whom you love and who love each other."
I love Christmas. I think I have been very blessed this season with not really any homesickness. I think that the people I am serving here have filled that void for me. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for how much He has blessed me recently. What a wonderful time to be a missionary! Hermana Stevens and I this morning were preparing our Christmas message that we will be sharing Christmas Eve and Christmas. I, of course, had to have a theme and visual aid. We are using the star and how the Wise Men used the star to find Christ. And when they found Him they bowed down and worshiped Him. Oh how great it would be if we could find our Savior this year but, in our hearts. Let us use the star that is placed in our time so that we may find the Savior. The star could be many things....the scriptures, prayer, the prophet. But lets go out, like the wise men and look for Him, and when we find Him let us bow down and worship Him.
Guess what???!! Dulce and Jorge are getting married on wednesday and right after Dulce is getting baptized!! I for these last 2 weeks have been working my butt off. Calling the court house, Mexican consulate, getting plans ready, PLANNING A WEDDING, and baptism..etc....Dont worry-I have a cosmotoligist in the ward doing her hair, the Relief Society is doing a few gorge decorations and refreshments. I am SO excited! Who knew I would be planning a wedding on my mission. Dulce is so amazing! I also have a framed picture of the Houston Temple to give to them as a wedding gift so they can focus on their goal of gettting sealed as a family. I am really trying to make Wednesday a special day for them. I will take pictures adn get them to you next week. Pray that everything comes together!
Julia is either getting baptized this Sunday or next. I hope this Sunday because I want to be in this area for her baptism. We are meeting with her this afternoon to decide on a date.
I totally am sick! I have a nasty cough. I hope that I have a voice to talk to ya'll on saturday. I lost my voice Friday and Saturday last weekend. Dont worry mom, I am taking plenty of meds adn drinking OJ like it is going out of style. LOL!
We have Christmas Zone conference on Thursday. I am excited! We then have plans to go by Christmas Eve and Christmas day to members, investigators, everyone and bring sugar cookies and share our Christmas message. "Its the most wonderful time of the year!"
Well, I gotta run cause we have a short p-day today. Not much time. I love you and am SOSOSO excited to talk to you on Saturday!
Sarah
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