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

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

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

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Pictures!





Pictures!





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!

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

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!

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