The Miracle Of Eid

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds

Today marks 11 months as a missionary for me.

I'm afraid I'm turning into a total weirdo. I talk about the weather way too often. To my defense though, it really is so incredibly beautiful here! I've realized that I'm usually way too consumed with my life to notice the incremental changes in nature, but not this year, baby! Seeing everything come back to life has given me a whole new appreciation for spring and especially sunshine.

The Miracle of Eid

We frequent this apartment complex called Wedgewood. On Wednesday night, we found ourselves there after things blew up in our faces. We stood there for a second with some frustration and disappointment boiling underneath the surface, and I asked aloud, "Where does God need us to be?" A name immediately popped into my head, so we ran with it. We knocked on our friend's door only to find that she wasn't home. We tried knocking on some of the neighbors' doors, but no one spoke English or was interested. Once again, I just thought, "Why are we here?" As the last door shut, a door behind us flew open, and there stood Mina.

We met Mina two days before Ramadan started. We met Mina for a second time on the last day of Ramadan. Coincidence? I think not. Mina quite literally waved us into her home at the same moment that someone else slammed the door in our faces. She and her sister Farna excitedly shared their treats and traditions with us as we discussed faith. As we sat in Mina's apartment, I was almost moved to tears because I could truly feel the love that they have for God because of the way they eagerly loved us.

The Miracle of Eid doesn't conclude with some crazy ending, but it does end with one heart changed forever. My heart.

Mina and Farna will never understand how much their kindness impacted the two girls who accidentally crashed their Eid celebration, but I forever will. They perfectly exhibited what it means to love thy neighbor. They gave me the encouragement and love I needed to dust myself off and try again, and for that, I am forever grateful to them.

Much love,
Sister Richardson





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