WEEK 70 "WATERFALLS OF JOYFUL TEARS"

I think Hialeah is getting more dirty and more stinky by the second but hey we are still living the dream. Hialeah is the best!! I think I am so used to everyone only speaking Spanish all day everyday that I have taken it for granted. This past week we went to go help out the sisters in North Miami Beach area and over there it is a melting pot and I forgot that its not Hialeah. My companion had to tell me that i needed to switch more to English and stop assuming everyone is Spanish. 

welll the highlight of this week was definitely seeing the change of heart in Abraham as he was baptized and made a special promise with God. The story of Abraham is very unique and powerful. At the end of March we had a family home evening with one of our members and this is where we met Abraham for the very first time. He looked like he wanted nothing to do with us. He was sitting on his phone in the corner and didn't say a word, the only thing that he did mention was that he didn't have much faith in anything.

A month passed by and he was still coming to church and we were convinced that he was starting to like it, or why else would he be coming back. I thought to myself, "How could we make this fun for Abraham?" So one Wednesday night at the chapel all the young men were playing basketball, Abraham included. I leaned over to his friend and asked... If i make this shot do you think Abraham will listen to our messages... Long story short we made a bet that if I made a hoop and he didn't, he would listen to a message. But if I missed then we would leave him a lone. I drilled the shot and made it (by the grace of God) and he missed his so with a smile he agreed that he would hear us out.

Little by little we watched his faith grow. It was the most thrilling opportunity I have had in a long time. At the beginning he wanted pure evidence that God existed. He had a hard time understanding the concept of Grace and how we could be forgiven. Everyday he brought us questions that were very in depth and challenging. There was a moment however, when he started allowing the spirit teach him. He wasn't just trying to analyze every scripture with his own logic but he was analyzing the scriptures with his spiritual eyes open. Right now I am currently obsessing over the story in john 9 when Christ heals a man that was born blind. It is so applicable in our lives because this is what Christ can do to each one of us if we chose to place our faith in Him. Christ opened Abraham's spiritual eyes and it was the most powerful experience to witness. I love in verse 4:10-11 says, "Lord I believe: and Jesus Responds, "I am come into this world, that they which see not might see;" 

I am forever grateful for Abraham and that he acted in faith and was then able to be healed and his eyes were opened. This past sunday he was baptized and made an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints this past Saturday. It was quite the scene... he was running 30 minutes late and then he came out with his dark pants on under his jump suit but in the end the spirit was there very strong and that's all that matters. After he came up out of the water he told us that he was crying. This strong 22 year old, gold chain lover, car fanatic, and rice and bean addict has made a complete 180 turn in his life. Abraham truly understands how to apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his life and we are so proud of all the progress that he has made and will continue to make. 

I must admit the second highlight of this week was seeing my long lost bfffffffffffff from silver lakes LEONARDO POLO. As we were exciting Sunday school I see this familiar face through the church window and it is him. my very best friend in the entire world who i haven't seen in a year. LEO came to visit me because he heard i was leaving soon. seriously though i was on cloud 9 people. you have no clue I broke down into a waterfall of tears. I was so happy. He knows he isn't suppose to hug me but Cubans just don't get it. Especially Leo.  I put my hands up over my face and he just tackles me. I love that man. We caught up on everything as fast as we could and the best part was understanding allll of our conversation. Clear back in my training when we met him I was lost 80% of the time but now it was like talking to a different person. We figured out a time when we can go through the temple to receive his endowment and then he was off screaming "bye baby" at the top of his lungs. oh wow was that the best Cuban moment of my life. 

To be able to see the progress of ones testimony is the most enriching sight to see. Leo has the strongest testimony of the Book of Mormon now and is helping the missionaries in their efforts. recently he just fellow shipped a whole family into the silver lakes branch. I am so proud of him:) It reminds me of when the sons of Mosiah all met up after their missions and they were still strong in the faith. this is my great hope that each one of us can find a testimony and even more, an unbreakable relationship with our Savior in this life and do all that we can to walk on the covenant path so that we can return home. I know I truly have found this type of relationship with my Savoir on my mission. It wasn't easy but I promise if you just seek for Him he will always leave you little tender mercies as proof that He lives.

Los quiero mucho. 

Hermana Richards