God of Miracles

CONGRATULATIONS, DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you it brings me to tears! I'm so grateful for your marvelous, humble, faithful example and for the blessings our Heavenly Father is pouring out upon us! You are Sister Richey's and my hero! Alyssa, I'm not surprised at that! You are such a fantastic young lady and I know He's blessing you so you can continue to bless those around you. You are a fantastic force for good! Keep it up! Maree, how are you feeling?? What's going on over deah? I love you and I know your choice to return to school was a really tough one. I want you to know I fully support you and will do all I can to make it a pleasant semester for you. I feel you will find more miracles and blessings awaiting you there than you can imagine at this present time. Joseph, what a dashing young man you are! Please don't cut your hair because I MUST see it first! You are such a fantastic person and I'm so excited to give you a noogie again! Becca, it sounds like you're doing a superb job and keeping everyone in smiles and laughter! You are one of a kind and WE LOVE IT! Not to mention SUPER gorgeous! ;) Mom, you are--more than ever--the super mom! You are such a busy woman, but you don't let the business drive you--it's always the Spirit that does. Thank you! You are an inspiration to us all! As for the *ehem* vacation... I say, who sleeps, anyway?!?! :D Let's just go! I think you could all use it and I just want to be with you anyway! The thing is... where will we go to church and would that mean I'd speak the next weekend, on the 19th? I'll get home from my mission and everyone will think we've left the Church! Just kidding. ;) I'll leave the details up to you, but don't worry about me! I'm totally game for whatever! As long as I still get to go to church :D I'll send my info in another email.I'm not sure how we'll work out school at this point, but I don't feel worried about it. It will all be good. As for things here, wow! Things are thriving and it's tough, but it's fantastic! I am experiencing a real trial of my faith. I have an increased testimony of the authority of the priesthood and the power that comes through righteous living. I was given a marvelous blessing last night, full of incredible promises, if I will just do His will and not my own. That is what it's all about, isn't it? President Lorenzo Snow is right-- when we seek the will of the Father, we will not fail. The words of the Savior are true... If HE could do nothing of Himself, but only of the Father, how much more do WE need to rely on Him and do His will? I love the Lord! His judgments are just! His way is easy and His burden is light if we will yoke ourselves with Him! Miracles are happening here. I know that if we will all be exactly obedient, we will be blessed beyond measure. We will see miracles abound in our lives. But we must wait on the Lord. Let's do sing Jesus, The Very Though of Thee. What a sweet hymn! It's so beautiful and close to my heart. Sister Richey and I are learning a lot--mostly from mistakes ;P We've goofed up a bunch as we try to grow into our responsibilities, but our Father in Heaven is patient and kind. The Lord wants to forgive. It is such a blessing to work with such a valiant, Christlike missionary. I feel blessed beyond measure. Everyone should have a companion like her. Noni is close to baptism and we're so excited! He is a stalwart individual, so humble and willing to sacrifice. He will be blessed beyond measure! Joyvin is doing so well! He will be baptized August 10 and worked with us for the first time yesterday. His testimony was powerful and he's pushing along with his commitment to live the word of wisdom. He's got suckers in his pocket all the time :) We love him so much. That's all for now! I'm sending you all loves and hugs from Pasay City Philippines! Sister Richardson

Sweet is the Peace

What a busy week!!! And it's about to get busier! We went on exchanges with our kabahay-- two sweet sisters that live in our apartment. Sisters Pascual and Belardo are AWESOME! They are fantastic missionaries and it was a great experience. I learned a lot working with Sis. Belardo in my area. She opened her mouth everywhere and we found many new investigators! Sister Richey and I have been.. for lack of a better term, tearing it up! It's been a fast-paced week and we feel delightfully exhausted each night when we come home. Last night, we went with a member to his family's home and taught his mom and younger siblings. WOW! Those people are so prepared! They will be baptized in August and we need to exercise our faith as we try to help one brother work out his insane work schedule to be able to always attend church and read the scriptures. They are wonderful! Brother Noni will be asking today for his day off to be sunday and we are praying for him. His baptism is on the 27th, so this is a critical time. That's how it is for Joyvin, too, who is quitting a long-time addiction to prepare to enter the waters of baptism on August 10th... along with Rezzie and Redelyn Tolentino! I feel like it's really going to happen this time. They really are going to be able to gain a testimony and be baptized as long as they keep reading every day like they did this last week. It is a time of miracles. I want to share with you what I've been learning about faith, hope, charity, and love. They are all so closely related. I know that we need them all to be able to press forward, with steadfast faith in Christ, endure to the end, and receive eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20). We obtain a hope for eternal life as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized for a remission of sins and continuously renew our baptismal covenant, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end by making and keeping sacred covenants. As we do this, we grow in love for God and our fellow men. We desire their happiness and salvation. We also become more like Jesus Christ as we study His words and live after His example. His gospel is real. His atonement is, too. I know He lives and I will do anything to know Him. Thank you for your love and support always! I'm so sorry if I haven't always responded directly to your correspondence with me. You are the best family and friends anyone could ask for! Stay true! Stay strong! And God will ever bless you! We're excited to do a couple more exchanges this week. I get to work with my dear, beloved Sister Grant again!!! What a huge blessing! And the next week..... PALAWAN!!! Haha I'm incredibly excited! We get to do exchanges with the 3 sister companionships over there, so we'll be there for three days. I'll take lots of pictures, though I'm not sure how quickly I'll get them to you! Both Sister Richey and I have never been there, so it will be an adventure! We'll do all we can to learn from and help the wonderful sisters there! Good luck, Daddy on finals! I love you muchly and muchly! Aaron and pals, so proud of you and all you're doing! Keep up the great work! Aaron, so sorry I didn't say happy bday 2 weeks ago, but I thought of you on your birthday! You rock!!! Mommy, you're a shero! Love you sooooo much! Any luck with registration yet? If not, don't sweat! All is well! Keep takin care, all y'all, of my beloved siblings, you hear???? LOVE YOU!!!! Sister Richardson

Work of Salvation.

This was a powerful week, I tell you what! It was pretty fabulous! We had some really interesting moments and just about lost our guts laughing so hard and our predicaments... So on friday, we reveiwed the baptismal interview questions with brothers Regie and Robert. They are fantastic and so prepared. They are truly repentant and converted. Brother Regie is the husband of a recently returned member and their daughter will also be interviewed by Bishop for baptism. Robert is Regie's brother and is one of the funniest people on the planet and so incredibly converted to Christ and His gospel. This would, I believe, be a completed family... I'll have to double check on that.  As we reviewed the BIQs, there were a couple things that came up, so we needed to contact President Stucki so he could interview them. Their interview with our district leader was the following day (saturday) so it could be announced in church on sunday. Well... President's been incredibly busy with the mission split and he was unable to get back to us til saturday afternoon. In the mean time, we thought they'd still be interviewed b/c that's what our zone leader advised, but we get there and ...no one's there. And Sister Grant steps in gum. We laugh really hard and then  start to text the Nedia family after hearing from our district leader that we'll just wait til President can interview them, but just then their family pulled up in the tricycle... That was fun. So we informed them and went back to where we had lessons. President called yesterday morning and was able to attend our ward conference and then interview brothers Robert and Regie while Sister Stucki attended and really spiritual gospel principles class about the Sabbath Day with us. After the interview, President said to us, "Well sisters, they'll make great members of the Church!" I fully agree! They will be baptized on saturday, July 6th at 4pm. I am very honored to be the only one of the 4 of us who taught them (they were in S. Hayden and S. Pascual's area, so we've only been teaching them a few weeks since the sisters were moved to another ward) to be able to attend their baptism. I did so little, but it's been a huge blessing for me to witness a portion of their conversion.  It's a new transfer starting this wednesday and Sister Grant will be leaving me :( ...so will Sister Hayden :( I'm going to miss them so much!!! We don't know where S. Grant will be yet, but I know she'll be awesome! And Sister Hayden will rock it in a new area, shotgun training! And S. Pascual and I will still be ka-bahay, and she'll have a new missionary to train! I will be staying in Pasay 1st, trying to prepare it for a set of elders to join in the work in August, and serving as a Sister Training Leader. It will definitely keep me busy. There is so much to do and I fear this last transfer will fly by far too quickly. The Lord is hastening His work, as I'm sure you all felt in the Work of Salvation broadcast! It was so inspiring! It's really happening and we're so blessed to be a part of it! The best part of all of it is... THE FAMILY! It's all about our families and our big, eternal family! And I'm so proud of my own, who are doing their part in the work of salvation! Joseph HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're 14 years old, so big, and even bigger spiritually! I'm so blessed, of all the brothers I could have in this world, YOU were IT! You're the best and my favorite :D Thank you for being an example of Christlike leadership in the priesthood, at every age. Congratulations on your ordination to the office of a teacher! You will continue to be blessed as you bless your fellow quorum members. You are a blessing to all those around you! I will be praying for all of you. I know there are struggles that you are facing. Satan's influence is rampant and there is nothing he would desire more than to ensnare a stalwart person, such as yourself. Be constantly aware and strive to ever listen to the still, small voice of the Spirit. He will guide, protect, and comfort you. Daddy, your email was magulo and nakakatawa! So you! You're working so hard and are such an inspiriation to me. Thank you! The same to you, Mommy dear! You are such a strong influence for good in the lives of all those around you. Thank you for your faithful prayers and sacrifices! I'll get on my way and send a little message to Raisy-Days and Lou-lou Bug. I love you all! I know Christ lives and this is His Church! I know His work is that of salvation-- for all mankind! Have a marvelous week!!!! Sister Richardson

Hastening!

Wow! The Lord really is hastening His work! And there is much to be done and contribute in this Work of Salvation! There is much required of us at this time. Sister Richey, my new companion, and I are so busy and it feels so good! We desire to use the Lord's time the way He wants us to and I'm finding more balance and power in my efforts than ever before. It's almost impossible to describe to you the changes that are occurring. We just had 31 new missionaries arrive this transfer! And next transfer ALL the sisters will need to train! It's incredible! The Nedia family was baptized on saturday and it was a joyful experience! President and Sister Stucki were able to attend, and all those Nedia brothers and their friends and acquaintances outside playing basketball came in to witness the baptism of Regie and Robert, and Regie's and Rodessa's daughter, Ressa. There was a strong Spirit as they bore testimony. We now have an opportunity to teach more of their family and hope many more conversions will follow. Their cousin Noni is preparing for the 27th of this month and could use your prayers. He has been training for a job that will require him to work on Sunday. We have invited him to pray in faith for the help of the Lord to help him decide what to do and that all will work out. I know that our God works miracles according to our faith.  Sister Richey and I have been learning a lot about faith. Our exact obedience depends on our faith. Our action and salvation depend on our faith. Our meeting our goals depends on our faith. I have been feeling a lot like you, Lou... Feeling like maybe He doesn't realize quite whom He picked... It feels like way too much goodness for someone like me to be capable of. It's hard to explain. But I know that He knows us and He calls us because He wants to make us more like Him. And I know that when we give it all to Him, we will be :) Thank you for the sharing of your adventures! The Rexburg temple font is probably my favorite that I've visited. I know you'll enjoy it! And the videos will be a blast! I'm excited to see them. Rae, I sent you a quick response :) I love you! I have to print of mommy's and daddy's emails, so I don't get to respond directly to you this week, but please know how much I love and appreciate you! You are the best ever!!!! And I don't wanna pop everyone's bubble, but how would you feel about putting the money you saved toward your mission?? Or toward Joseph's, Rae's, or someone's? Just wondering.  LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Hope all is well. You're all in my prayers! Love, Sister Richardson

RoLLeR cOAsteR

Whoah, what a week! It was an adventure and a half! We had some pretty rough moments, but it turned out to be a fantastic experience. Here's just a little bit about it...

We cleaned our slate. We felt we were working really hard and not getting as far as we'd like, so we took a look at who we were teaching and realized it was probably time to let go of some of those who weren't acting to accept the Savior's invitation to come unto Him. It's a hard thing to do, especially when you love them inexpressibly. There is such an increased capacity to love as a full-time missionary. I believe we're all capable of it, but it's just an ever-expanding balloon as a missionary. It's hard to explain, but feels so good!

Anyway, we felt renewed after that and felt really good about it. We were disappointed, however, with the outcome of a few of our visits to people we were sure would progress. But don't get sad! It gets better! We had a great opportunity when we talked to a sweet, receptive lady about her family and offered to teach her about how to hold a family home evening. We're going back on saturday when they're all at home together and not working. She then introduced us to a less-active member that lives right there! As we sat down with her, we opened with a hymn--I am a Child of God. The Spirit touched her and she shed a few tears as she expressed that she knows she is a child of God. We feel we can help her come back and hopefully teach her husband. The Spirit really guides us.

We also found a great lady on the way home from the temple today! She seemed pretty receptive to our brief statements about the Plan of Salvation, as restored to the earth through a living prophet. There are people EVERYWHERE the Lord has prepared! He will lead them to us and us to them. We want to find most of them through the members because they are the full-time finders and we're the full-time teachers.

We had a beautiful lesson with Bro. Robert Nedia, who will be baptized July 6. He is so converted and I felt the Spirit so strongly as we bore testimony of the blessings of keeping commandments. He's willing to give up anything to follow Christ. He is a choice spirit.

Welp, I'm sorry that's all I can tell you about for now! I love you and hope you had a great week! Let's go out there and have another great one! Press Forward, Saints! with love of God and love of all mankind... Halelujah! Hurrah for Israel!

Fave scripture: Alma 29:9

love, Sister Richardson

Ulan... and ulan

So... Rainy season has begun!

It rained a lot on Thursday and we spent most of the day partially soaked. Haha, oh adventures. It's more fun in the Philippines!

We found some pretty neat people we hope will progress. A couple potential families. It's so neat to feel like I've met certain people before. Some people are so familiar.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the BEST DAD EVER!!! I sent you an email, so check that, mkay, Dadstum? ;) And please pass it on to my grampy!!! LOVE HIS GUTS! hugs and kisses to both of you!

Happy Father's Day as well to all the wonderful fathers of my friends, like Angus and Gary, Daddy Smallwood and Daddy Grant, Hayden, and Stromberg, and Tatay Fernando, and Ronquillo, as well as Sis. Gupta's Indian daddy. I'm so grateful to you all for bringing into this world my beloved friends and companions!  I love them so and I love you so!

I want to share my testimony that we have a very loving eternal Father in Heaven. He celebrates our victories, rejoices in our righteousness, and weeps with us when we choose wrong. He knows us and wants us to communicate with Him through sincere prayer. He has provided a way for us to return to live with Him, to become like Him, and to obtain all that He has. This way is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been restored by our loving Heavenly Father through the prophet Joseph Smith. The fulness of the gospel is contained in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Let's take some time to celebrate our fathers and give thanks to our loving Father in Heaven for all with which He has blessed us!

Thank you, Mom, for fixing that! Is there still a possibility of getting housing? I think, ultimately, plan B is probably going to be a lot better for all of us. And I say that, knowing how much you'd love to meet these ppl and i'd love for you to meet them. I'll let you make the final decision. I love you dearly.

Love,

your sister Kylee Richardson

Clean Slate

Another week has flown by! Brother and Sister Tolentino were baptized on saturday and it was quite an experience! We'll just say we had technical difficulties for an hour or a few before we were able to start, but everything turned out okay :) The Spirit was so strong as they bore testimony. Even though I know there is much to do yet to strengthen them, I'd like to share how Heavenly Father answered Sister's prayer. 

When the missionaries first arrived at their home, she said, it was the start of some big changes in their home and family. She had told us that first meeting that when she wants to do something, she does it. When she doesn't, she doesn't. She didn't want to commit to much right away. 

As she tried the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, she prayed to Heavenly Father that if it was true, that He'd help her husband quit his vices. Time went by after his first commitment to live the Word of Wisdom and he had considerably lessened, but had not quit. This time she prayed and asked that if it was true, if he could quit in a week. Within a week's time, he had quit smoking altogether. 

I know that this was an answer to sincere and faithful prayer on his behalf, as well as the entire family. Much peace and comfort have come to them through their reception of the restored gospel. They are happier, better people. They are clean! And the journey has just begun.

Rezzie and Redelyn were able to attend :) We'll have to follow up on what they experienced.

I want to also tell you something that Sister Grant shared with us as we talked about how busy things are and how hard it is to prioritize things the right way, always wanting to do the best things and not waste the Lord's precious time. She was in a Q&A with Elder Bednar and her mom asked him, "How do you do it, Elder Bednar? How do you balance everything?" And he said simply, "You don't. Stop trying." He went on to say that sometimes you'll have a busy week and you won't make it to scouts. He shrugged and said something like, "Oh well. Try again next week." It's not that we need to balance everything in this perfect, aerobatic, tight-rope, tip-toe, gram-for-gram type of way. We just need to do what we can with what we've got. We follow the guidance we receive to put the most important things first and then say, "Well, maybe that could've gone better. So what? It turned out okay. I'll do better tomorrow." Good enough is good enough.

Dad, you are a delight! Let's celebrate with 3 cheers for the best daddy ever!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY FATHERS DAY! HIP-HIP-HOORAY! HIP-HIP HOORAY! HIP-HIP HOOOOORRAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!! 

Here's to you, Father! 

I love you, Dad! And I'm so glad your passport finally came! I'll pray for the finding of just what we need to get you here!

Mom, thank you for your shining example! What a blessing you are to those around you! You fill the world with light. Each of my wonderful family members does!

YOU'RE THE BEST AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's sing Bring the World His Truth! and read Alma 56:56! 

IT"S SO TRUE! IT'S SO TRUE! I love the Lord and His work or I wouldn't be here. It's the truest thing there is. 

Love, Sister Richardson