WEEK 69 "Abraham overcame doubts through turning to the Book of Mormon"

welp hola a todos!

Esta semana fue una adventura. wow! We had a super exciting 9er 9er on Friday where Sister Caldwell (skyline graduate) and I saw insane miracles. We found the cutest lady named Yaneisy. We casually were talking about her super cute tropical garden and then carefully related it to the Book of Mormon. When we let her hold it she hinted that her arm had chills all up and down it. We were able to promise her blessings that when she would read these words of Christ she would feel his strengthening enabling power stronger than she has ever felt it in her life. When we left her she was smiling from ear to ear and her countenance had changed. Then two seconds later we were trying to help an angry woman and with our simple gesture of help, her attitude changed and she invited us to come over and share a message with her. 

Next we were walking to our knocking spot and we went up to speak to a young man from Venezuela. He immediately told us that he has been looking for a church and has felt God prompt him that he needs to come closer to Him. He told us that the only thing that matters most in this life is the relationship we share with our Loving Heavenly Father and choosing His path that leads us back to our heavenly home. We were like whattt?? that reminds us of the message that is found in the Book of Mormon... we whipped out a nice passage about the gospel of Jesus Christ which he absolutely loved. Then with amazement in his eyes he told us that his brother had told him a while back that he needed to read it. The APs got a cool new friend that day and I can't wait to hear more about David's progression. After we met two more men and two sweet sisters who were so intrigued with our ministry. We built an immediate relationship with them and we felt so blessed by the Lord. I love how the pure gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of living. The more we apply it in our lives the brighter our personal light becomes so that all may be able to see it. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ truly dispels any darkness and answers any questions that we have in our lives. After a long hotttt day we decided to celebrate at our favorite Argentinian restaurant for dinner:) Don't worry dad, I will take you one day too. 

The update on Elizabeth is that the president gave her permission to be baptized in Peru so we believe that is her plan for now. We are very excited for her and we know that this is what her Savior would want her to do. 

Karen has been progressing a ton recently. However just this past Wednesday she didn't show up to her baptismal interview and we are super confused why she has dropped off the face of the planet but oh well we keep praying and trusting in God's plan. I know she will one day be baptized and start her journey on the covenant pathway.

On the other hand, Abraham is progressing super well!!! He went to visit the temple this week and then later that night we shared with him the plan of salvation. He told us that he knows without a doubt that this is God's plan. Then on Sunday we had a bomb lesson about the priesthood and he told us that this is something that he desperately wants in his life. Sister Atwood shared a powerful testimony of when she had the priesthood in her home and when she didn't. I truly know that the power Jesus Christ has to heal the sick and minister to others to carry about salvation is on the earth again. Last night we were teaching him the 10 commandments with hand signals to help him remember and it was the funniest thing. He even wanted to send his girlfriend a video after he mastered them. Abraham's cousin confused him big time yesterday because he is a Jehovah's witness. haha of course darkness always creeps in right before major life changing covenants that we make. In this case Abraham was trialed the day before his interview. We helped him overcome his concerns by asking him about his experiences that he has had with the Book of Mormon.  Last night he told us that he can feel the pure presence of God every time he reads the Book of Mormon; we are so proud of him. I have seen the biggest difference in his personality and countenance. I love how Christ truly Lives and helps us become the best version of ourselves if we let Him. 

This past week I have been writing down all of the titles of Jesus Christ from my studies and he truly is our shield, rock of salvation, author and finisher of our faith. He makes up the difference and is the difference. I know I will never be like Him in this life but I can try my very hardest and after all that I can do, He will fill in the rest. I love seeing Him in every aspect of this work. He truly is my very best friend and there is nothing more humbling than serving Him. Like Nephi said "My heart doth magnify His holy name". 2 Nephi 25:13

Love you all, 

hermana Richards