WEEK 78 "GRATEFUL"
From the very beginning I fell in LOVE with my mission. I was living my dream. The language, the hot long days, the incapable feelings of "Am I doing anything right?" and the pain that filled my head day after day were staring me straight at the face. Some days I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it very far in my mission, but going home was never an option. I remember night after night I pleaded with all of my strength for God to strengthen and restore my energy and if it was His will to place a miracle in my path. I wanted this more than anything in the entire world.
There were many times I felt angels lift me. I felt my Savior literally take the pain from me. In those moments, that is when my Savior gave me a personal back stage tour of his grace and his enabling power. I was transformed into a new person as He molded me into the missionary He needed me to be. I remember everything changed as I began to give up my fears and replace them with faith. I began sacrificing my will and my own desires. We began waking up early, leaving the house early, leaving our weakness behind, and fasting with full purpose of heart. I gave him everything and held back nothing.
I truly know that there is nothing more powerful than repentance and the priesthood power that has been restored on the earth again. When my personal miracle came, my whole world was changed. I had been waiting for 5 years to be touched and healed by my Savior and it finally became a reality. However, I knew I couldn't stop there. We continued to find new ways to sacrifice different things each week. One of my sweet angelic companions told me, "Sister Richards, it's not that the work is getting any easier than in the beginning, you are just getting stronger." She was right; my faith was getting stronger.
This week I have truly felt completely spoiled rotten by the love of God. I have felt his hand more present and stronger than I have my whole life. I cannot put it into words. Through sunsets that took my breath away, to the DONOSO's showing up and surprising me in Hialeah, to Aris getting baptized, and going to the temple with Elizabeth tonight. Also Abraham got in the worst car crash of the century and was protected by angles, Waldo came to Church (whom I love and I gave my where's Waldo book to) Karen is ready to be baptized and has been changed through repentance, and all the members surprised me with the sweetest gifts. I could not imagine a more perfect way to finish my mission here in Florida.
I am so indebted to My Heavenly Father and He just keeps blessing us even more. This Gospel is everything to me. It teaches us how we can become like God. It gives us purpose and meaning in life. I am so grateful for every second of my Mission that I have been able to testify of Jesus Christ and His divinity and purpose. It hasn't been easy, but I know with a surety that He Lives. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and given the priesthood authority to usher in the last dispensation. I know Russle M Nelson is the prophet who leads and guides us today and that the Book of Mormon changes lives.
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." My mission does not stop here. I am so excited to continue to represent Him.
I love you all; thank you for your testimonies that have strengthened me throughout this year and a half. I couldn't have done it without you!
xo,
Hermana Richards
