WEEK 36 "Miami babbyayyyy"
HOLA TODOS
Transfer calls were last night and I will be moving down to Miami to mini Havanna! I will be opening a new area and I could not be more excited to teach and love more of my favorite Cubanos. They light up my whole world. They are full of energy and they love the message of the restored gospel. I am going to come back with quite the Cuban accent so I apologize in advance if is awful when I return.
One of the hardest Goodbyes this week was our sweet Liliana from Venezuela. I have never seen her cry before. But when we stopped by she bawled tears of gratitude. This goodbye was something that we have been dreading for a long time but she promised us that the next time we will see her will be at the temple and to not worry about her. We have been through a lot with Liliana and I can't imagine my life without her. She has taught me so much. The biggest factor being faith. Although her whole family fought against her faith and continues to do so she is strong in the faith that the Gospel has been restored and that we have a prophet who leads and guides this church.
Wasnt Conference amazing???? I felt the spirit so strong and I cannot believe all the amazing changes. When they announced the 12 more temples I felt a burst of chills go down my back. I know that the second coming is on its way and that we need to prepare ourselves to always be worthy of meeting Him at the temple when He returns.
After Conference on Sunday night, Ymelda and her grandson Miguel (who we are teaching right now) wanted to make us arepas and their favorite Venezuelan dish pabellon. It literally took 2 hours but it was so good. She taught us how to make it for our families one day and then after we exchanged testimonies of what we liked best about conference. Ymelda loved Elder Holland's talk on forgiveness and Miguel loved the talk by Joy Jones about caring after the lost sheep. Miguel mentioned that he has found a new enlightened path in his life and he has never been happier. He felt a direct correlation to the lost sheep and he mentioned how he has found Christ again. I love this sweet family and I know they will continue to find joy in this path.
SO this week I not only said goodbye to Hollywood but also silver lakes (my first area). I went on an exchange with sister Jensen my last companion this past Wednesday! It was one of the best days of my life because I got to go back and see everyone that I love and miss dearly.
Of course, Leo was top on that list! We went to the temple and caught up and taught him a mini-lesson outside. HE HAS CHANGED so much since the last time I saw him. He has moved out of a house where his roommates did Santeria (worshiping satan). And he is now trying to work at the temple. I am so proud of everything that he has accomplished in just the past 4 months of being a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I could not have asked for a better way to spend my 5th-year mark of my head injury. Although I was forced to think back on the hardest days of my life, when we stepped foot onto the temple grounds I knew that God was showing me his love by allowing me to be reunited with Leo.
Leo is one of my dearest friends that I have ever met in my whole life. I know that we were best friends in the premortal world and I know we will continue to be best friends forever. As I explained to Leo what had happened 5 years ago He immediately started bearing me his powerful testimony of a loving Savior and the power of the Atonement. I have been through a lot of good days on my mission but this was definitely in the top best three moments. I am eternally grateful for the healing power of My Savior Jesus Christ. I would not be out here if it wasn't for Him. I have a sure testimony of the power of obedience. Obedience truly does bring blessings and even miracles if we have the faith.
On my mission thus far, I have seen my faith slowly develop into knowledge. I know for a surety that Christ lives. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith the gospel was restored on the earth again in its fullness. And because of the restoration, the priesthood power is on the earth again. The Priesthood power is essential for our progression. Without it we couldn't receive blessing of healing, we couldn't perform ordinances, and we couldn't live with our families forever. Salvation and Exaltation is a family matter. It is in and through the power of Christ the Priesthood power that we can live with our families forever in His presence.
Les quiero Mucho. Tenga un linda semana.
-Hermana Richards