WEEK 22 "BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR"

Each week I don't think we can get any busier but somehow it happens. Another fabulous week in the hot humidity passed and I am so grateful for all the incredible people I met and had the chance to bear testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I say this each week but the mission is the BEST!

We went over to our cute Peruvian friend Luisa's house this week. She fed us the most amazing "Russian salad" that takes three hours to prep and is DIVINE. She would totally be best friends with my Grandma Kath. They both love politics, cooking, chocolate, and good conversations with friends. Luisa is loving the Book of Mormon right now . She is going through a lot of health challenges right now and I loved helping her realize that this book was written for us and that we can find comfort, peace, clarity, and direction from God each time we read it. I am grateful for my health challenges that God has given me to be able to teach and bear testimony with more empathy.

MY FAVORITE FAMILY OF ALL TIME is still doing amazing. Myra and her two kids have us over every Friday night to play games, eat, and of course hear our messages. This week we taught the their fam the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the lesson they were all spread across the room and the kids were bouncing off the walls but once we started to share the First vision of when Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, the kids were dead quiet and the family were all sitting side by side with their arms around each other. As we answered all their question about the priesthood power and how this power of God is given to families to help them receive more blessing from God, I looked into Myra's eyes and she was crying.

She wants nothing more than to have her husband be a spiritual leader in their family. The spirit was so strong testifying of the truthfulness that we have this power once again on the earth to bind families for eternities. Her husband is never home when we go over but Myra and her kids have committed to pray about Joseph Smith. At the end of the message her youngest daughter told us that she wants to be married in the temple. I love this family like my own and I am thrilled to be apart of their journey back to God.

Here are some highlights this week from knocking... I was knocking with two other sisters in our house. We knocked on a lady's door from Guyana and she recently had three close friends pass away. She immediately told us that we were her three angels coming to comfort her because of her loss of loved ones. She realized that God had sent us there and was aware of her needs. sooo cool! Her heart was open to hearing our message and so we taught her the plan of salvation and how we can see our loved ones again. I hope the other english sisters continue to teach her. 

One night it was close to 9 so we were heading back home when we saw a lady smoking next to a lake. We went over to talk to her. She instantly broke down bawling to us, telling us how she is drowning in fear and sorrow and needs her faith strengthened in Christ. We shared a scripture and told her how much God loved her and how much our message can bless her life. We didn't have much time but we exchanged numbers. She has been texting us ever since and I can't wait to help her this week come Closer to Christ!!!

However, its not always sweet and peachy haha. This week I learned lots! One of the biggest lessons that I learned is loving others when its hardest to love. One evening we came across a man who got up in our faces and told us that we were doing "everything wrong" and went on to yell at us about how awful of people we were. Im not going to lie... it hurt. But I kept clam and I knew I needed to treat him like Christ would. So I listened to what he said and while he was storming off I said, "it was lovely to meet you have a nice evening." Although I was cringing inside I knew I was standing shoulder to shoulder with my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason why I am out here and each moment I have to defend this church and face opposition I welcome it with a smile and calm heart. Because I know that moments like these force me to remember the time that I gained a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and that this church is true. Each time I feel discouraged or get a door slammed in our faces I am grateful because I understand my Savior better and the paths he walked to allow each one of us to have salvation. I know my Savior is with me every step of the way and I love strengthening my relationship with Him each day that I am out here.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

-Hermana Richards

Highlights:

1.)Went to a fabulous volunteer luncheon at flamingo gardens

2.) Leo is still his hilarious self and doing great. He gave us sunglasses this week lol 

3.)Its the best season ever.. MANGO SEASON. and we constantly have mango pie in our 

fridge. and yes its the yummiest thing in the entire world