WEEK 6 "Ahhh hah moments this week/ tender mercies...."
My Little Sis from DG (Bailey) left for Albuquerque this past week. It was so fun to be with her in the MTC!
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| Today was the last Temple outing with Hermana Bashford and Hermana Curtis since we are all leaving this Monday and Tuesday. In the celestial room today, it was sooo perfect....the three of us Hermana Bashford, Curtis and I were just bawling because we love each other SOO much. Hermana Yee On was too sick to come...:( I am going to miss these sisters SOO much. |
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During an MTC devotional, a missionary played "Hie to Kolob" on the piano. It was soooo well done. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I played that same arrangement on my violin at grandpa's funeral. I felt him soooo close to me during that moment which I will never forget. It was like he was giving me a hug. I know he is proud of my choice to serve. He served a tenth of his life, and I know he is with me during this journey.
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THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS REAL. I am understanding a lot more... I try and hang out with all the natives at lunch and just talk with them. In lessons when the spirit guides me I can talk forever.... for example, one lesson we were explaining the priesthood power and I went on and on and on about how blessings have helped my life and the priesthood in general. It was realllly neat 
I don’t know if any of you remember me telling the story in my farewell talk about the trial of my faith I had in high school. But this past week all of those emotions of being truly converted to His gospel and this church came flooding back as I sang “Testimony” in the MTC choir. It is a melody similar to My Redeemer lives. If you haven't heard it GO LISTEN TO IT RIGHT NOW. It will change your life. But in this song, it says, “oh sweet the joy this sentence gives... I know that my Redeemer lives.” This last sentence is the foundation of my testimony. And it is found in Job 19:25!!! This scripture was given to me in seminary my senior year when I was in complete darkness. My friend had challenged and torn apart all my beliefs.(Job 19:19) Job went through this same challenge along with many others including illnesses and losing all that he owned! However, in the face of every trial, he diligently chose to rely on Christ and chose to praise His name. This tender mercy from God was a turning point in my life. I can always look back on this answer to my fervent prayer and know without a doubt in my mind THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. Our Savior can wipe away our tears and calm a troubled heart. He has done it to me multiple times and I know He will for you as well. The sweet sign language missionaries sat in front of us during the song. I wish you all could have seen the missionaries sign these lyrics. The emotion and testimony on their faces brought me to tears. They truly know their Redeemer lives.
At the end of this song, everyone in unison sang “He lives He lives He lives oh sweet the joy this sentence gives.” I haven’t felt anything more powerful in my entire life. To say the least, I was drowning in my own tears. I sang every feeling of gratitude I have for my family, my friends, and most importantly my Savior. With Him nothing is impossible. With Him, miracles are brought to pass. With Him, we can find the deepest form of joy and happiness. And with Him, we can live with our families again.
I love you all. I am praying for you all every day. My heart is very nostalgic to be leaving this place. Our “girls trip” has almost come to an end. The MTC has been the greatest experience ever. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Keep changing lives back home!
Te amo mucho,
Hermana Richards
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