Another week! And the start of a new transfer! With new goals!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD DAY to all of my lovedy-loved ones! I hope you're all doing splendidly! I sure love and pray for you!

We've had a good week, Sis. Fernando and I, and --SURPRISE!!!-- didn't get transferred ;D hehee OF COURSE NOT! And we're so glad! We love Noveleta. And President Stucki just told me in his letter to me that I have just read just now--just for your justly informa-just-tion-- that, "[I] still have much to do in [my] area. The Lord is hastening His work. He is preparing many to receive the gospel." oooooooOOOOoooooh! Doesn't that just give you chills?!?! Right here in Noveleta! That's our responsibility--yours and mine--all over the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! :D Pretty exciting!!!!!

We had a sweet older sister, Jane is her name, come to church with us yesterday! She was wonderful and she loved it! WE loved it! We can see that she is starting to change. She's beginning to understand what she reads in the Book of Mormon and she is sharing her knowledge and love for the truth she's learning with others--even members! She stood up in RS and told everyone that she just wanted to express that she knew the things she is learning are true. She is still not able to promise, she said, that she'll be baptized, but she is learning a lot and knows it's true. :D YES!!!!!!!!!!! That's the Lord's restored gospel for you! Changing lives and hearts every day! And isn't it beautiful? ;) And don't you fret! She'll be baptized before you can say "Bob's your uncle"! Hehee

As for more changing lives and hearts, we had another spiritual experience yesterday. We have an investigating couple who are so cute. Brother is struggling with keeping the WOW, but we have been encouraging him and just went over some ideas with him last night of how to quit and repent. He's so cool. The two of them are growing closer and it's so beautiful to see. Sister had a spiritual experience in Relief Society. It was the first time that I'd heard it so quiet and I'm sure everyone felt the Spirit in that class. It was simple and wonderful. And it was the first time in a long time that she had stayed through the last meeting. (BLESSING! We're making progress!)

Don't worry, Daddicus! I'm eating lots of nutrients and all's well and hot here! We're actually going to the palengke (or wet market, which is just an outside market--kind of like in Aladdin--instead of in a grocery store) this week to save time because it's closer. And that's where we're buying our nutrients ;) I'll get some veggie-tables and yummy fish --joke!-- to tide me over this week. Thank you for the reminder of gratitude! It is such a wonderful life we live and we are so blessed!!!!!!!!!!! Incredibly! I read from E. Uchtdorf's Priesthood-session talk earlier this morning and was struck particularly by his words about his sadness for those who do not honor or appreciate the joy and blessings of the priesthood. He said, in essence, that they are like passengers on an airplane who waste their time complaining about the size of the package of peanuts instead of enjoying the thrill and wonder of flying above the clouds--an experience that kings back in the day would have given much to have experienced just once! I don't want that to be me! I want to enjoy the flight!

Mom, I want to say... ditto! I am so proud of my family, beginning with my parents! Thank you for the service you render--in winter wonderland and at all times of the year--for the glory of our Lord and the joy of our brothers and sisters who need a helping hand. I want to seek for more opportunities to serve this week. I'm going to copy and paste your words here for all to see, because my feelings are the same: "Just know you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I know we are about the Lord's work. He helps us to help Him. I am so amazed. I don't even feel like I qualify to be His hands and yet He continues to call on me, so He continues to help me and show me how to do it. I know without a doubt He is doing the same for you."

THANK YOU for your love and patience with me and my imperfections! I'm sure you haven't forgotten them, but you sure seem to pretend they're not there while I'm away! You're all so nice :D For one particular weakness, I have begun a deeper process of repentance than I had before applied. I have now realized, to an extent, why it's hard sometimes and how I can change it. It's exciting and difficult to change. It's possible because of Jesus Christ! And on a less-serious note, I'll include the picture of my Contract of Non-transformation for you all to read ;) hehee enjoy! Actually, it's kind of embarrassing and I'm not sure I want to allow you to post it on the blog... Haha! But do what you will.

Aaron, your designs are ASTIG! Yes, I feel like the word for "cool" is cooler in Tagalog than in English, though it's not really used that much here. As for a camera, if you're going to use it and it's what you need for your education and career and plans, it might be a good idea. "But you don't have to take my word for it" :) Hehee READING RAINBOW! Wow, I laughed so hard at the pew pew pew design! Crack me up. And the abstract drawing... how did that take form? From whence did the ideas flow?? I really like it, sa totoo.

PICTURES:
#397 The Contract of Non-transformation...
#415 T.I.P. Beach... There are TONS of people helping pull in one big net of fish :D Love the Philippines. There were lots of shiny jumping fish and a swarm of seagulls swooping above, trying to steal some for themselves!
#391 Most of our zone-- Cavite Zone-- before transfers. There's my twin, E. Robison, who is one of the zone leaders, and his companion, the little Philippino, E. Teodoro. They're great! Haha everyone says E. Robison and I look alike. Sometimes I see it, sometimes... not so much. Tell me what you think!
#441 Sis. Roque is the little lady to my left. She is the sweetest person on the planet! She always gives us thoughtful things-- like the baskets she makes out of straws, or fruit (i'm going to try my first apple-mango!). And to her left is S. Vilma Morales. I love these people!

Gotta go! Love you more than words! Keep up all the good you are doing!

Did one of the Lyman boys serve here??

Love, Sister Richardson

I Stand All Amazed...

I am amazed today. I am amazed at the love Jesus offers me. I am amazed at the love I feel from you, at the experiences you're having, at the growth and example you show to me, at the Spirit that envelops me as I read your words. Words can't say, but I truly stand all amazed.

We had some great experiences this week. I felt moved to tears as we taught about repentance through the Atonement of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I felt a surge of love for the couple we were teaching and urging to repent. I prayed that Spirit would touch their hearts and help them see how their burdens could be lifted through the atoning blood of Christ and His very personal sacrifice for them.
We were led by the Spirit to the aid of a man in need, feeling forgotten and alone. He cried tears of joy and gratitude that he had been thought of and remembered. We felt the significance of our simple visit.

Let me just say to Joseph in particular that I am so grateful for his humility and teachable-ness. What a worthy and beloved priesthood-holder! THANK YOU, Brother! I love you soooo much!

I know that the things the Spirit have spoken to you, Mom, are true. Your experiences are so powerful! It makes me so grateful to have a sweet example for a mother. An example of powerful prayer and faith to fulfill such prayers through action, as well as humility to change when necessary. How I love you!

Dad, all I can say is WHAT WOULD I DOOOOO if i didn't have your funny descriptions of our home life to lift my spirits in carefree laughter???? Everyone should read all of YOUR emails to me each week instead of reading mine. Not THAT would be a blog worth blogging!!!!!!! (secret high five to Becca and a swift kick to Annie's rear ;) ) THank you for being an example of tireless work in behalf of the Lord and your family. I've thought of that so much this week as I've tried to get rid of all the barriers in my mind that could physically, mentally, or spiritually keep me from doing my best. You have no internal bounds---and you're the energy bunny!!!!!

Aaron.... do you know how cool you are??? Just saying. Please don't fret. You'll be hearing from me soon. I'm so blessed to have frequent updates as to the goings-on at school and home and in your family. Give little flock a hug haha. And don't spend too much time on your cool android :D

Yuck, this email is so short! Can you forgive me??? I wrote some personal responses today, that's why. But know the work is good! Transfer day is this thursday and I can't believe sis Fernando and I have been together a whole transfer! there's only 5 wks next transfer and then they go back to 6 wks. we're loving Noveleta and we're seeing an increase of support and success! more pics next time!

love youALLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did one of the lyman boys serve here?? ah, and mom, don't be too disappointed when you watch the video of us teaching... i didn't talk much. but it's not always that way ;)

Love sis. R

Adventures and more...

So, to start us out in a jolly way, we had an intruder in our apartment last night...

Now this wasn't the normal intruders that are my mortal enemies (those super ugly gross bugs we call cockroaches), but instead a much more ferocious, monstrous, and... surprisingly cute intruder...s duhn-duhn-daahhhhmmmmm! haha it was just a little guy, but i could NOT figure out how he managed to invade our apt... but he sure gave sister Fernando a jolt! I was minding my own business while she was frying her fish, when all of a sudden, she shouted and ran across the room for the door. I was startled and asked if she got burned by the oil. she said no... and i was thinking of what could possibly cause her terror when she said the word "frog"!! haha! i turned and looked. sure enough, in the corner of the kitchen cabinets on the floor, was the little leaper. he seemed pretty scared himself :) don't blame him.  i started devising a plan for us to get him outside, but sis fernando insisted that there was no "us"... she was there for moral support only :P hahah! what a kidder! so.. i rallied my forces. i retrieved a brown paper bag from the cupboard (let me interject here and say that they actually use brown paper bags for groceries in REAL LIFE! crazy. i know. i thought that was only in the little critters books, like the one where he mows the lawn. but it's true. they are finally enforcing the ban against plastic here in Cavite. astig.) and readied my weapon. "i'll just capture him" i said in good ol' taglish. i brandished the open paper sack at him, awaiting his self-inflicted destiny: a leap into the prison that would quickly open again to free him into the wild. ....... but it didn't happen. he refused to jump. And the more i brandished, the more he tried to escape! that little booger! he even tried to pull a Houdini! he started CLIMBING up the crack in the corner, between the cabinet doors. SNEAKY, i tell you! plain sneaky. but i was sneakier! i took that brown paper bag and swiped him down the space until he was back on the floor in his little corner of doom. and at last, i filled my lungs with a breath of courage and swooped in on him! it took a few swoops, but i got him! and took a quick peek at his slimy belly before tearing across the room to the door, where i threw him out--bag and all! After all our hollering and squealing, we just stood there at the screen door, breathing for a few minutes before we returned to our lives... cooking fish and updating the area book. the end :)

thanks for indulging me in the story of the week! sorry about all that. anyway, we sure had fun! and it's been a successful week. we saw amazing blessings pour down on us from the windows of heaven as the chapel was fuller than usual-- with less active members!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D we were SO HAPPY to see them! And the ward noticed and helped us make them feel welcome! it was wonderful to see them. and such a good feeling.

Tessie was baptized on Saturday :D she's incredible. her testimony was simple and powerful. she knows the Church is true. She knows the Book of Mormon is the word of God. She knows Joseph Smith is a prophet, who restored the Church to the earth. She knows Christ is her Savior. and she wants to share all these things with EVERYONE. she's great :D hers is one of the pics i'll be sending.

Alyssa, that was incredibly beautiful. i can't thank you enough for what you shared with me. i'm so proud to call you my sister. what an inspired goal! i want to be like you and do the same. and seeing you was my best Christmas present, too :D  the Spirit always helps me feel closer to you. i'm so grateful.

Ash, you have the most beautiful daughter ever!!!!!!!!! and you're so gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow... i'm so proud of you in every way. you're such a good mom and you amaze me! more to come-- promise ;) xoxo

Mom, you ROCK! as per usual! THANK YOU for all the things you've done for me! what a wonderful blessing you are to all those around you! especially starting in our own home :D can't say enough there, but i'll leave it at that since i'm almost out of time. i hope all is well. as far as the advice, that's actually been on my mind a lot, ...unsurprisingly, since you and i are usually wavelength, especially with the Spirit. i'll keep thinking on it, dearest gorgeous blonde.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to My Auntie Bob, to Christina the Manninghead, and to Jar.. the head. :D i loooooove you alll very very much and hope you had a super good one!
 As for you, Daddy-doo, I laughed out loud again! I think the best use for that weight set is to get Annie geared up for my return...just saying ;)love you soo!

Rae and Aaron, i'll print, read, and respond! i've got stuffs for you!

i love you all and think of and pray for you constantly.

love, sister r

I love you!

Dear family,

wow!!!!!!

i love you so much~!

do you know that?!?!?!

i hope so!

I thought i'd share quickly the feelings i felt earlier in my personal study... gratitude. I am so grateful to thing of you and the blessing of the restored gospel in our lives together. i can't imagine any longer than 18 months without you--and i thankfully don't have to! we've got eternity :D and i'm the happiest person ever because of that.
i love every moment i had to talk to you. it was absolutely the shortest 40 min of my life. a blink, to be honest. but i know the time will also come quickly when we'll be able to be in the same house again and share all sorts of wonderful things together. like ugly letters, yummy lasagna, dish-washing, kitchen-slaving, giggles galore, and ... lots lots more! hehee

i'm so glad you met the strombergs! please tell me all you can about her homecoming when that rolls around! she rocks, i tell you! i'm glad they brought comfort after a really rough day :( aw, my mommy and daddy.... argh. you are certainly good examples to me!

i know that we all need the power of the Atonement. we need it today, to forgive and to be forgiven. we need it today to change and be a little more like Christ. we need it today to have our burdens lifted and our yoke made light. we need it today to be free and experience the joy of love and peace that accompany the prospect of exaltation with those we love. we need it today to be closer together. we need it today to share with those who are wandering, lost in darkness and pain without it. we need it to heal our yesterdays, make the best of our today, and give us hope for our tomorrows. i know it's real. i know it's possible. i know we have it because of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

i'm so glad you had a great birthday, daddy! we got to go to Br. Teodoro's house to celebrate his birthday with him--on your birthday! you were both born Jan 5! but he's 59 this year :) you've got a ways to go... hehee! i want to send pics, so i'll try to hurry.

Rae, thank you for your sweet email. i'm so happy for your break and for your techno-pump ;) hehee i had no idea you had one of those nifty things! where'd it come from??? haha you are soo good and i just want to give you a big hug and tell you to keep it up! share w me what you can when you can! i love you, sister! do send me the pics if you can!

i won't be able to send all the pictures, but here are a few.

love you! all the best! congrats to aaron on the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that will be sooo cool for you!

love sis r