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

OKIE DOK!

Soo.... Bro. and Sis. Tolentino are getting baptized this saturday!!!! They were interviewed yesterday and they're ready! Rezzie and Redelyn still need a little time, but it will come. We just keep praying. 

I feel a strong sense of urgency in the work. It's just time to be better. It's time to run faster, lift higher, be stronger. It's time to give my best every minute. It's really always time for that, but there are indications everywhere that we need to take it up a notch. At the same time, I want to keep in mind what I learned from a Mormon Message Sister Hayden shared with me: "Choose Ye This Day" by Pres. Eyring--we don't need to do it all. We just need to give our time to Him and let Him accomplish His purposes through us. It will make all the difference. If we will get on our knees and ask Him daily to let us be His instruments, we will see miracles--we will be a part of them.

I had a very spiritual experience while fasting this time. I just want to share with you that I know our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers of faith. He knows our needs and will give us what we need, when we need it. If we will trust in His will and timing, we will see our deepest desires fulfilled. 

I can't believe I didn't send my last email!!! I'm so sorry! Here it is now! Please forgive me! I'll double check next time! So sorry! Sadly, I really did just forget to press send... I actually had a ready email. Now you'll get it... :D

Daddy, I'm excited to see what now lies ahead for you as you are now free to receive a new calling :) Hehee.... I might just send Bishop a little text and tell him you'd love to be the new EQ President haha! Joke lang. No, I can't actually text Bishop... Haha but oh, if I could! I'm glad everyone's good and I'm looking forward to meeting some of our family's new friends like Amber.

Mom, thank you for the updates on everyone. I will be sure to do that. To be honest as far as school, I felt pretty good about either going or not going. It seems to be more hassle and worry at this point to register, but I'll ask permission anyway. I'm not sure how much is in there, but whatever needs to happen, we'll figure it out. I'm sure it'll feel more urgent when it's the only thing ahead for me, but with all that's going on here, it feels like no big deal :) 
I know you're doing just what the Lord would have you and that the struggle of starting a new responsibility like that will get much easier as time goes on. How grateful I am that the Lord always allows me time to grow into each responsibility He gives me! We have to remember that we won't have it mastered right away. That takes time and He knows that. He'll help us.
 I'm excited for the girls' jobs, Joj's bball, and Boo's break. They're all the BEST!

Can I pick also to sing Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth? I love that one! I think we'll sing it later in our FHE with Dara, Kince, and France. I love them so much. They're some ppl you have to meet.

We've moved apartments and made some adjustments. It's an adventure! We love the Lord, each other, and of course, the Philippinos!!!! Sister Grant still rocks and we're friends for life.

I love you all! Sister RIchardson Hurrah for Israel!

My heavenly father loves me

Dearest loved ones, of whom I'm so proud, Hugs to you from the Philippines! I love you dearly and want you to know how proud I am of who you are and what you do! I learn so much from you and I can never thank you enough for it! Mom, thank you for the insight of the filled cup. My cup runneth over with all the blessings we receive at His hand, especially in this great work that is ever rolling forth: the work of eternal life and eternal families. WHAT A BLESSING! If it's okay, I'd like to ask how Sam is doing. I haven't written or communicated with him in a long while and just want to know how he is.  Gosh, I'm just so proud of my parents and siblings!!! Way to go, Joj, on the talk! Way to go, Dad, on the patience! Way to go, Mom, on the courageous cup-filling! Way to go, Boo, on the 42 pounds of blonde goodness! Way to go, Maree, on the new and awesome friend I'm excited to meet! Way to go, Lou, on the finish of a great year! I hope next year is filled with more fun and less stress! I learn so much from your hope, faith, diligence, and other Christlike Attributes (mga katangiang tulad ng kay Cristo-- gotta love new vocab!)! Thank you soooo much! I know we can all accomplish the Lord's work and our other worthy, honorable goals as we follow the direction of the Spirit. It's so amazing to have the unspeakable gift!