WEEK 39 "Buses Beaches Boujee Cafes and Baptisms"
Holaaa fam and friends,
Well this week was a good one! It has been so much fun getting to know Miami. It is so beautiful here and I love how there are so many cultures.The best part is that the crazy hot heat and intense humidity is finalllly cooling down. Today we drove through downtown Miami on "calle ocho" and went to south Point Pier.
It was Gorgeous and so tranquillo. It was perfect weather and it was nice to be able to catch our breaths from this crazy week. The stunning breath-taking view of crystal clear turquoise water and white beaches with the giant city in the back was the closest thing we could get to a mini vacation. After, my darling Sister Doyle wanted to go to a cute artsy cafe.
Sooo of course we drove to the 11th floor of a skyscraper to park in a parking lot and went to dine there for lunch. Little to say the boujee art on the wall and my flawless sushi-looking crepe made for a perfect afternoon.
Okay but to get to the good stuff!!! My best friend Marcos Got baptized this week!! I am so proud of him. He has been through the hardest trials I have seen in anyone and yet he remains firm and unmovable in the faith. He has chosen to not let health problems, separation from his family in Cuba, or trials with injustices slacken his strength.
I will never forget Marcos' sweet shining smile when he popped out of the water. This is one of my favorite memories of my whole mission. Later we sang " Paz en Cristo" which brought the spirit strong. Although Marcos' trials didn't disappear after his baptism the Peace of Christ and the gift of the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit have lightened his burdens and helped him find Joy through the journey. As we lose our lives in the service of our Lord and Savior we will truly find our best selves.
This week we did see a lot of miracles that came through binding our hearts to our goals and plans. I have a strong testimony of thorough planning. On Saturday night we scheduled out all the members that we would talk to at church and ask to come out with us this week. Our ward is so missionary minded that we were able to have at least two members out with us everyday.
Two super cool friends that we found with our members was Lily and Gabriel. Lily has a lot of family who lives in Utah and are all members. She visited the sacred Grove over ten years ago and knows Joseph was a prophet who was called of God to restore His church. She is very excited to take the steps toward baptism. And Gabriel just recently lost his wife. He is humble and accepted baptism in the first lesson. I know that God is adding to our consecrated efforts. One thing that I have learned on the mission is that our friends that we teach reflect us. As I repent every day and utilize the power of Christ in my life I truly see the difference in the work. I love my Savior and the opportunity He has given me to repent. To turn away from the natural man and turn toward Him through humility and a commitment to change. I love this work so much. I am so grateful for the people and experiences that I have had thus far that have changed me for the better.
I know that this gospel brings families together, heals broken hearts, and repairs broken lives. I am so grateful for a Savior who loves us infinitely and who gave us His life so that we can have second chances, clean slates, and rise from the grave to live with our families forever. I love Him and I know He lives and that He guides our prophet today.
LES QUIERO MUCHO! Gracias por todo lo que hacen para apoyarme.
tenga buena semana!
- Hermana Richards
Highlights:
- Our recent convert Jordano took us to the cubanita restaurant and I dont think I have laughed that hard in my whole life. He gave us all nick names... I am chicharon, and sister rolfosn is Subi
(Its a long story... I'll tell it another day)
Lowlights:
- I caught a cruel cold and fever this week that took me out of the work for a day
- we took the bus and majorly failed...