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
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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
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