WEEK 20 "Leo being baptized was a huge DOMINO effect"
This week was one for the books! Recently our mission leaders have challenged us to talk to everyone in sight. As we have been making an extra effort to go the extra mile to talk to everyone God has sent us so many miracles.
Just this morning as we were washing our car in the Florida heat we saw a man driving a golf cart. As I went up him and started to get to know him, I soon found out that he lives in Hialeah, which is Sister Thurmans area!! He was very interested in having her stop by and to share a message about Jesus! SO COOL!
Last night we were walking home and we walked by this gorgeous young women covered in tattoos. In the dark I could see the despair and hopelessness in her eyes. As we walked by I felt impressed to turn around and go talk to her. As we did so she immediately started bawling to us. She went on to describe all of her heart aches, life dreams, and religious beliefs. Her brother that she hadnt talked to in years had just got in a car accident and she was helping him, or else she wouldn't have been in that neighborhood.
Now that I look back on this experience I know that God allowed for our paths to cross because this daughter of a Heavenly King loves her and she needed to hear that. She was touched by the message we shared with her. And by the end she expressed her deep gratitude for our work and told us that she wished more people would dedicate their lives to helping people. When I offered her a prayer last night, I felt God leading me in my words to tell her she has never traveled too far away from God's love. And that it is infinite and limitless, constant and unchangeable. I love praying each day and asking God what he needs me to study each morning to help others...this morning He told me to study love, and this is exactly what she was in need of.
A different night this week we were knocking in an area that we had already spent a lot of time in. I came across a door that I had knocked on the day before but no one answered. This door caught my eye again once again because there was a Swedish sticker on their car parked outside of it. IF anyone knows me I am obsessed with anything Scandinavian... So I dragged my companion up to the door with me and we knocked again. To our surprise someone answered. The sweetest Swedish lady with a warm smile answered the door and I immediately expressed my great love for her country. As we got to know her a little bit I went on to ask her if she believed in Christ and if we could share a scripture with her. She immediately said yes. Then I said that I wanted to make it meaningful to her and asked if she had any questions for God right now in her life. She immediately broke down bawling. This sweet young mom had been diagnosed with a disease and was so ill the only thing she could do with her time was lay and watch movies all day. As we shared Alma 7:11 with her and bore our testimonies of Christ the spirit filled our hearts with the deepest love for God and one another. As I left her a heartfelt prayer, tears filled my eyes and I knew that God had sparked a interest in my heart with Sweden a long time ago so I would be able to run this errand for God. I cant wait to go back and share more light and peace with this lady.
YES! Leo got baptized this week:))) I have learned that I have gained parent anxiety on my mission for those that I teach. haha but honestly this experience I have had of being Leo's guide has taught me sooo much about my own relationship with my Heavenly Father and the role He plays in my life. I have walked in my Heavenly Father's shoes during this journey. I have learned that He is happy when we make good decisions, He is sad when we don't. He is earnestly waiting for us to talk to Him each day. He is eager to love us unconditionally and give us every good gift. He wants us to listen and understand his language so we can communicate with each other. He wants us to grow our testimonies of the scriptures and find a deep love for them. And overall He is happy when we are. As I have been Leonardo's "missionary" I have been able to understand God's love a little bit more, His work that He is performing for each one of us and the role He plays in our lives. Everything we do as missionaries helps me to realized and understand God and Jesus Christ's roles a little better. As I have seen Leonardo in God's eyes I have come to understand the love God has for us.
Leo is a big guy and when he was immersed in the water the one who was baptizing him couldn't pull him back up. haha it ruined the spirit a little, but it was ok. So the second time was the charm with Leo. I was shocked that everything came together so well because a week ago we still had four lessons to teach him! It was a miracle in and of itself. And we had so much support from the members- the temple president even came out to support Leo because he was his first friend in the church. Super cool stuff!
All I know is that God is a God of Miracles. My heart is filled with gratitude each day for the miracles work He has entrusted me to perform. I love this gospel with all my heart.
Les Amo mucho!!
-Hermana Richards
Hightlights:
-Sister thurman got permission to go to the baptism!!!
-Seeing Leo in all white
-Hearing Leo yelp for joy with both hands up after he was confirmed
-playing my vioiln at zone conference with sister thurman and then the baptism with sister jensen
-teaching a cute family who had a small boy that reminded me exactly of my little brother NOAH
-Finding one of our investigators in sedanos and meeting all of his friends
-meeting Leo at the temple grounds and feeling the sweet spirit there
-ward choir IT IS ALWAYS HILARIOUS WITH LATINS
Low lights:
-Sister thurman and I had our last zone conference togther.
-We may have shed a few tears together when we sang armies of Helaman
