What Is Going On???

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 occasion, should we so choose! How wonderful is that??!! Answer: REALLY WONDERFUL.

Our friend Flora was baptized on Saturday, and I am just so incredibly happy for her. After she was baptized, she shared her testimony with everyone present, and one specific line has stuck with me. With her permission, I'd love to share a portion of what she shared. Here's what she said:

"During my 20s, I found myself in a rut and cycle of depression and addiction and ended up on a cocktail of medications that didn't do anything and don't come near the peace and joy of God's love. These medicines may help some, but even if they were to help me, there were side effects. But, when Jesus heals you, there are no side effects."

My jaw was on the floor. I think we oftentimes believe there to be conditions or adverse reactions to turning to the Savior, when in reality "there are no side effects." The Savior's grace really is sufficient, and He has the power to heal each of us without the conditions of the world. I'm so grateful for sweet Flora and her powerful testimony of the changes that are possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. CHANGE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HIM.

Sending love from VA,
Sister Richardson






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CIA Takeover

Image
Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds We had dinner with an ex-CIA contractor and holy cow, my mind was blown. Quite literally one of the coolest conversations I've ever had with someone. I'd tell you all about it, but then I'd have to kill you. All things considered, life is good out here in Gainesville! The people here have my heart forever. They have the biggest hearts and they keep it real, which is always refreshing. Christ is often referred to as the "Prince of Peace." I've heard that reference probably a million times, but never once considered what that actually means for us until this week when we went to share a Christmas message with a family. From the moment we walked in, we could tell the wife was stressed. Her precious little girls were running around the house. They were doing what kids do best and getting into everything, all while the mom was trying to make dinner. As we sat down to talk, I asked her how she was doing, to which she respo...
Read more

Bottom Of The 9th

Image
Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds As you all know, I've never been shy about sharing my realities. With that in mind, people were mean, and I mean mean this week. It doesn't really hurt me anymore, but it also doesn't make for a great email home. On top of that, I had a lot of unexpected anxiety about ending my mission pop up, so this week was... really something. With that, I thought I'd keep it brief and share some of what's been bouncing around my head for the last 18 months. Growing up, whenever I experienced a setback or some sort of defeat in softball, my dad would often tell me, "The game's not over until it is." In other words, regardless of how far behind you may be, you always have the ability to make a comeback because there's still time left on the clock. This simple yet powerful idea has stuck with me in so many different phases of life, but especially on my mission. There have been many moments when I felt so defeated that t...
Read more

Boomerang

Image
Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds HELLO AUGUST! Time is flying, and I really don't know how to feel! Feeling all the feels for sure. BIG NEWS... I got transferred... back to Annandale! I'm serving right below the area I served in a few months ago and right next to my first area. Honestly, I couldn't be happier; I love this little neck of the woods! I'm serving with the lovely Sister Wallin from Southern California! She's got so much fire, so I'm excited for what's ahead! TALL CEDARS, I LOVE YOU! I'm so grateful for my second round in Gainesville! It challenged me in new ways and pushed me to rely more on my Savior, which in turn changed me for good. I'm so grateful to all the physical angels God placed in my path to help me develop into the person He needs me to be! Tall Cedars, thank you for loving me and helping me on my journey toward the Savior! You're in my heart forever! I've prayed all my life, but it really wasn't until ...
Read more