WEEK 12 "Afraid of Rain?"

ANother cray week in Florida has come and gone. Here are some highlights of the week. 

During the Niner Niner (this is where we knock from 9-9) we found incredible miracles. We had a goal of finding 25 new friends as a zone that day. THis is insane because that was half of our weekly goal as a zone. Anyway, after a long day of sweating in the sun we found two incredible people that were so excited to learn more about the restored church and the blessings they can receive by following Jesus Christ. It was 8:45 PM and we had 15 more minutes to find one more person. After giving it our all we knew in our hearts God still had one more person to have us find that day. As we frantically visited a couple potentials that resulted in slamming doors, we were still motivated to find that one last person. My comp was inspired to knock on the house next door and in the window we saw two small girls face's light up as they peered through the window at us. Their mom Kathy answered the door and she let us in to share a video about Christ. We then went on to tell her about the restoration and the book of Mormon. She felt in her heart the spirit telling her these things were true and accepted for us to come back and tell her more. Kathy was the 25th person we found that day as a zone and I know that God was orchestrating this beautiful miracle. I am so grateful for these experiences that I am having on my mission that testify that this is Gods work, this is His church and that He is so mindful of each one of us. He wants us to be happy and to find joy through the gospel of Jesus CHrist.

This week I saw a theme of little kids leading us to their parents, Their parents hearts are then softened becuase of their kids, and then they let us teach them. One day up at the trailer park our sweet friends (3 little girls) that we had met previously on the streets saw us and grabbed our hands and they dragged us over to meet their parents. They are athiest but we had an incredible lesson about families and Gods love. THey felt the spirit and described it as peaceful and nervousness. Pres martinez came with us and he is fabulous to work with. 

We are also teaching a sweet lady named Dora and she accepted baptism this week!! She is from Peru and has three darling kids. She is a single mom and has the craziest life. She is in desperate need of the rest and peace we find in Christ. She didnt come to church this week and neither did Juan... and along with all three of the other investigators that were set on coming. They didn't come because it RAINED haha the typical Latin excuse. When it rains everyone stays inside.. I think they are all afraid of it or something jaja. So silly.

I love testifying about the Book of Mormon each day. We helped this lady Claudia move her couches... THis entailed me watching the elders move the couches haha. But we went back to teach her this week and the spirit was so strong during the lesson. The gift of tongues is real and Sister Thurman and I have never worked that well together in a lesson. It was amazing. I love this beautiful message of love and peace we get to bring into others homes. I love the happiness that I feel each day as I serve with all of my heart. There is nothing more rewarding in this entire world than to see the eyes of our investigators light up as we tell the Fathers story of where we came from, where we will go after this life, and how we can live with our families forever, I love this work and I love the opportunity I have each day to represent my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Have the best week ever!!!! Les quiero mucho.

-Hermana Richards