Richardson, Olivia PT

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds What. A. Week. Boy, oh boy, and I'm TIRED. But also, so incredibly happy. My mission has pushed me beyond what I ever thought I was capable of, but I wouldn't trade this time for the world. And I mean that. In true mission fashion, things took a wild turn for our zone!! Here are just a few fun stats from Saturday alone: 2 sisters throwing up 1 elder in need of stitches 1 auntie in the hospital due to a lack of oxygen 4 miracle baptisms All we could say was, "What is going on today??" Elder Renlund, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, visited our mission this week. I loved everything he shared, but I especially loved his reminder to each of us to evaluate our focus. He reminded us that WE are the determining factor for the way we view a situation. I've always loved this idea, because it is really quite freeing. Most of life is really quite mundane and hard, but we have the ability to make the mundane and hard into a joyous occasi...

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds Hey party people! Another jam-packed week here in Annandale! I feel like we are always doing at least two things at once, but it's rewarding and keeps me on my toes! You know those people that just inspire you to be better? Yeah, well that is Sister Morrill! I'm so grateful for the six weeks we were able to spend together because they truly made me better! Sister Morrill, you're my hero. Remember me when you're famous. My new companion, Sister Larsen, is also a ROCKSTAR! She's got so much energy, and we've just hit the ground running! We are both stoked to see where this transfer takes us. Everyone and their mom is sick right now, including myself. I blame the bone-biting wind chill. In the past few days, we've had a homeless man ask us for dating advice, a lady ask us to go to court with her, and a dude decline our church invitation by explaining to us how the world was going to end in 2011. Sometimes I wonder if ...

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds Hello beautiful people! Things are just cranking along out here in Annandale! This is my last week with Sister Morrill, as she is heading home! I'm so sad to see her go, but I know she's on to big things! Being with her was an answer to so many prayers, and I am forever grateful for the time we were granted together! Stay tuned for a big reveal of Comp #8. The dead mice count is up to 7, one of which was found right below my desk. #ewwww We taught Louie, a Walmart version of Michael B. Jordan, to pray this week and his response (attached below) quite literally brought tears to my eyes. He's such a cool dude! Prayer really does work and it can change your life! Happy Valentine's Day! Thursday will mark 9 months of representing the Savior for me. These few months have been a rollercoaster. With each new day, I get to experience the same ride, but with new twists and turns. The twists and turns have made for some of the happiest,...

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds We discovered this delicious Mediterranean restaurant down the road from us. The chicken shawarma goes crazy and so does my man Omar at the cash register. I love the city because it truly is a walking United Nations. We get to talk with people from every corner of the world, and it makes for some good conversations. Just the other day we were volunteering at a community center, and in the span of 2 hours, I talked with a lady who escaped Cambodia right before the Khmer Rouge took over, 5 Ethiopian men who fled from revolutions, 2 Korean grandmas, and some boss moms from Sierra Leone. The human race is truly beautiful. Our car was due for an oil change, so we went on a little field trip to my old stomping ground on Friday! In true Alexandria fashion, things took a wild turn quickly. We were making some calls and doing some online work when all of the sudden, some man walked out of the local Dave and Buster's and vomited in the trash can ri...