December 19,2015 email "love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."

Tortillas: 0 ( this is a sad day, zero tortillas. I need to take propio initiative)

Feliz Navidad mis queridos amigos y familiares! This was a pretty busy week. An Elder had to do home, so our "three muskateer" group broke up. My companion Elder Sanchez was changed and is now in Huehue, and I have been thrown into his job that I was still learning, but the Lord will guide. We have been blessed this week to be able to see alot of love from the members, and it will be a fun Christmas week as we have plans to go caroling from house to house, and complete with the Guatemalan tradition of eathing a lot of Paches (Like tamales, but made of rice or papas) and watching a lot of fireworks! 

Mejor milagro:

One day we had a member call us to his house. He explained that he had a family member that was dealing with depression and some mental problems, and he wanted us to go and visit them to give her a blessing. So , we set the appointment and went. With the visit, was a very special experience, and the opportunity the meet a very special family. Just recently these problems had been occuring, and it has shaken the family. They were touched by the blessing, and gladly accepted the opportunity to teach them about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is the catch, just a couple of weeks earlier my companions had been contacting and they met the mother of this family, but she completely rejected them and showed no interest in learning. But, God loves each and every one of his children, and we are now teaching this family in much need who before had no interest whatsoever, simply because they did not understand the importance of what we have for their lives. I am grateful that He is the one that is leading this work, and I see it every day. It is marvelous to see what occurs so that we can have the opportunity to share this marvelous gospel!

Testimony time:

This week I continued my study of the Book of Mormon and read about the occurenses of here in america after Christs mortal ministry and his return to the father. I read in 4 Nephi 1:15

And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

These people had the opportunity of personal ministry by the saviour. They had placed in their heart a perfect love for him because of what they saw, and that lead them to keep the commandments and live in a perfect society for a time. In our days, we have our faith tested more because we do not have the opportunity to see him minister personal, rather through his Prophets and Apostles. But, we have the amazing opportunity to show our love for God by keeping the commandments, even though we dont understand completely. As Jesus taught, loving the Lord with all we have is one of the two greatest commandments. We can take this Christmas season and continue all year to love the Lord and have that dwell in our heart as we forgive, repents, serve, and do the small things every day that keep us on his path of salvation. I am so grateful for the restoration of the true gospel, and I know and testify with all of my heart that it was restored because he loves us. If we can understand his love, it will be easier to love him back. That is our quest, and it will be completed as we work to live our lives in the way that his Son, Jesus Christ, has shown us. There is no better way to live. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

December 12, 2015 "Back in the city again, but more center!"

Tortillas: 5 (Back in the city again, but more center!)


Que tal mis amigos gringos! So, this was a fun week and very blessed! Very different from what I am used to going from being in villages to right in the city. But, I enjoy it all! Also, it has been an adjustment not doing the same work all day, being more in a car driving, more interaction with many different people and missionaries. I feel blessed to be able to work close with President Smith and to be able to learn from his years of wisdom in the Lords work. I have a lot more responsability now, but I have felt the help from the Lord to be able to fill my calling and have his help to get what is needed done. Right now I am only learning, but in some time all of the responsibility will be thrown on me, but I just need to keep relying on the Lord and his strength. My new area is called Panorama. The ward is one of 200 members, which is very big for here. We have been working a lot with members to find investigators, especially since we don't have as much time in the area. But, I can still apply my skills that I have learned of contacting and meeting new people. I went from a house where the water usually did not work, and many days we did not have power, to an american status house with so many luxuries like hot water and washing machine! The blessings of the Lord are great, and I will make sure to keep recognizing it!


Mejor Milagro:


One night my companion felt the need to go and contact some people in a place where they make tortillas. As we were talking to them, two people approached behind us, and I recognized them because a couple of nights back we had passed them and they caught my eye to talk to them, but we did not have time. So, we bagan to talk to them, and came to find out that they were members, but they had not come to church in a long time. We found out that they had some children that are still not members, so we put an appointment with them to be able to activate them and bring the whole family back to church. The night came for the appointment, but we ran late and by the time we got to their house they had left, but their children said they waited but we could come back another day. As we were leaving a man said "Hola Elderes" and at first we kept walking, but I felt the impression to talk to him. So we began to talk, and offered to share him the new Christmas video "A saviour is born" and he accepted. We entered, and his wife and daughter were also there. As we shared and testified of the saviour, his true gospel, and the restoration, the spirit filled the room. We came to find out that the mother had been sick, and so we offered her a blessing by the authority of God and she accepted. They accepted that we come back another time, and are excited to learn more. I have seen many times that God leads us to his children that are waiting, and if we follow his spirit we can find those families that need us.


Testimony Time:


I truly love the Christmas season, especially in the Lords work because the people are so much more open to allow us into their house to bring the true Christmas spirit. There is nothing wrong with the aspects of Christmas that are fun and joyful like family gatherings, giving of gifts, food, and decorations, but we must remeber the true meaning of this season. Thanks be to God that he sent his son to be born to be the Saviour of the world! Thanks be to God that we can also be born again, we can remove the weight of the past, we can one day become like him! It is so wonderful and glorious! We can rejoice at the fact that we can find that removal of our sins! We can rejoice at the fact that we can be families forever! We can rejoice for his love and grace! I have found so much peace and happiness in my life thanks to following his example and being one of his desciples. He does not force us, rather he invites us to come, follow him. There is nothing more amazing! The world can say otherwise, but I am here to testify that He is the only way to be really happy. I love my Savour and our Saviour with all of my heart. I rejoice because of his birth, and because we is the light of my life. I love this season, but we can receive the joy all year through his sacred gospel and holy covenant. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen




PS This is the website to watch the video and to feel the true spirit of Christmas!


https://www.mormon.org/christmas

December 7, 2015 "BIG NEWS!!!!!!"

Familia!

So, the news is that I have changes. But, not just any changes, I will be one of the new mission secretaries! I am excited but really nervous... Excited to work close with Presidente Smith, but nervous because I won't get to do so much missionary work, and I have a lot of energy, sitting down all day will not help... But, the Lord knows why. I am excited to see what he will teach me!

My time serving in Cantel and Zunil has been a highlight of my mission.  The people are so loving and kind to me.  I love the Lord and and the gospel!

 Elder Bentley is a choice person!  He is such a good Elder and so obedient!  I have learned so much working and serving with him.  He is my brother!

My Mom asked me to email back a gift I would like to give the Savior this holiday season and she was going to write it on an ornament and put it on our Christmas tree back at home.

The gift I want to give to the savior is to bring one of his children to him through the waters of baptism on Christmas day. We will see how it goes in my new area, but that is what I am going to work toward.  I love the gospel so much!  I want all to have it in their lives!

The Lord is my light!  Now go and make this the best week yet!!!

Love, Elder Richardson

November 30, 2015 "And He did smile upon them"

Tortillas:25

Una Buena semana, con mucho caminando!  A great week with a lot of walking!

 We have began to teach an interested family that lives an hour and a half walking from where we live!  We are also seeing a lot more progress in Zunil, and it would not surprise me if we were soon blessed with a branch there, and the growth would come much faster because more could come to church!  We are working a lot with the local church leaders to help the progress grow.  The low of the week was my companion getting a 24 hour throw up flu bug, and we spent the day Saturday in the house, but I had some time to do paper work and reading, but I was going crazy not able to go outside.  But, I feel very grateful to know that the Lord is with us and helping us, because the next day he was perfectly fine!

Mejor Milagro:

One day we were getting off the bus when someone came up to us.  He began to introduce himself in broken English and explain that he was learning.  He asked if we could help him with some practice.  We explained that our main purpose was to share the message of the restoration, but if he would be willing to learn then we could teach in English, and he could benefit in all ways.  He agreed, and we put an appointment for the next morning and gave him a pamphlet to study and understand a bit before.  So, we began to teach him.  My companion would speak Spanish, I would translate English, then we would switch. It started with him mostly on focusing on learning English, and turns out he is actually very interested in the message of the restoration, and he was asking many questions.  He soon told us that he is actually friends with the 1st councilor in the Branch presidency.  So we began to teach him with this amazing member.  Also, we learned that in the past, we actually have taught his family, but we have not found them.  God always finds a way to lead his children to the light.  I am grateful that in small ways the Lord works and leads us to his chosen children.

Testimony time:

This title come from the 19th chapter of 3 Nephi 19:30, and it says:

 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.

In this part of the scriptures, our Savior is ministering to his disciples on the American Continent.  He has ministered to them and given them the power to give the gift of the spirit and to baptize.  After many people take that decision, their faith was so great in him and they had seen great things after following him.  I think about how wonderful it would be to be in Christ's sacred presence, and have him smile upon me and be happy because of what I have done.  I feel so grateful for the Book of Mormon, which gives us the chance to know Jesus more! He smiles and he is happy!  What greater joy can there be than to know that our accions give God happiness!  I can also imagine the sadness that he feels as we don't choose to follow his son.  I wish to exhort all to do the things that makes God and Jesus smile upon us!  There is nothing greater, and brings us better satisfaction.  If in this moment we are not doing everything he wants, oh how wonderful the principle of repentance!  I know that it works, because it makes me better everyday of my life.  Of his power, I testify in the sacred name of our loving and joyful Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

The baptism of familia Xivir, oh what a wonderful day for this family!

Fun in Zunil and meeting new people at the fair.  They sell many things and have games and rides.

Thanksgiving day, I am so thankful for Elder Bentley!

 Celebrating being thankful with mashed potatoes!!!!

November 16, 2015 Yo se que vive mi Senor

Yo se que vive mi Senor

Tortillas:  15

Esta Semana fue buenisima!  of the highlights, this week this week there was a conference from Salt Lake via satelite with Elder Bednar.  It was wonderful to hear Gods council specifically for Guatemala.  Something that I have focused on this week is as I walk down the streets, praying in my mind to recognize the people that God has prepared, and I was amazed to see the kind of people that we talked to.  When I was at divisions in an area with another Elder, we found a man that was very interested, who had learned from the missionaries before.  He even told us that he was ready to be a member with all of his heart!  God does always lead us to those who are prepared.  If we follow what God wants, then we can all see miracles in our lives.  Also, as we come to experiment upon the word of God we can obtain our own testimonies of their truthfulness and the blessings that God has prepared.  Also, a small reminder of the importance of regular prayer and scripture study.  That is the way that God leads us safely home, and with these small things we can receive great peace.

mejor milagro:

So, one day my companion and I were walking in one of the villages, when we passed a motorcycle repair shop.  Elder Bentley loves motorcycles, so we stopped and talked to the owner and admired a bike.  We began to talk to the man, explained who we were, we asked about his family, and he told us he had a wife and 2 sons, but one recently died.  We explained that we had something that could bring him much comfort, and asked if we could share it with him and his family, and he said why not right now.  We had some time, and next thing we knew he was off on his motorcycle to get his family who lives 3 minutes away.  As he was gone we were talking, we put things together, and realized that he was the same man that about a month ago we had helped carry back to his house (because he was drunk) and dig a grave for the baby.  He returned and him and his wife explained their sadness and struggles.  He explained specifically that he felt angry with God because this had happened when he was trying to be his best.  We were then led by the spirt of how to explain to him about the Plan of Salvation, specifically the purpose of this life and our potential.  We could see that a new light filled their faces.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring this amazing restored gospel to all to be able to help them find purpose and live to return to God.

Testimony time:

I just wanted to share my testimony that Jesus Christ lives!  He came to earth and lived a life full of challenges, he walked and taught the way to eternal life, and he died and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Because he lives, we also will have the opportunity to live again and conguor "physical" death!  If we follow him and his gospel, we can also overcome spiritual death, or separation from the presence of God because of our imperfectness.  We can return to our celestial homes to live as families in eternal happiness!  In our days, we receive instructions and guidance from our savior through his chosen prophets and apostles. He leads his church, and as we chose to follow in faith we can have happiness and peace in a changing world.  Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Castillo!  He taught me so much!

"Love you!  Don't get to scared, the bus is a members bus, and the first seat picture is me getting a hitch hike from the stake patriarch in his semi haha!"

November 2, 2015 email " I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ"

Tortillas: 12

Una semana de festividades!!! This was a wonderful week to to get a chance to see more of the culture here in Guatemala!  They do not celebrate halloween here, rather El dia de los muerlos, or the day of the dead.  It is the 31st, the 1st and the 2nd , but the 1st being the biggest.  It is a holiday where many use to honor their family members that have passed away by decorating their tombs and spending time at the grave sites.

 Also, the traditional food is called "fiambre" which is basically a bunch of vegiatables and meats mixed together.  For me it was like a really great salad!  It fills you up a ton!!

 In the streets there are many people who carry around big things of flowers to take to the cemetary.

 Also, here in Cantel another tradition are the kites.  They have the normal plastic ones, but it is more paper over that they make.  They have a competition to see who can make the smallest and biggest, most colorful, and things live that.  It was wonderful to see the many families out flying kites.  I truly enjoyed being able to share the message of the gospel this week because so many had their minds turned to their families and their loved ones.

Major Milagro:

On Sunday, the main celebration of the holiday, we found ourselves without many visits planned.  As we were thinking what to do, we decided to take advantage of the fact that many people would be out with their families, so we decided to go see some families that we know and see if they are home. But,  our plan was to spend as much time in the streets talking to families.  We were able to find one of our visits, but afterwords our plans completely changed as we went up to the center of Cantel (Pueblo) and saw how many people were there.  Because all of the people that live in the villages have their family members there, everyone was there and we found the streets busier than I have ever seen.

 So, what we started to do was talk to as many as we possibly could.  The amazing thing was that 90% of the people were interested in letting us visit their family and gave us their phone numbers and where they live.  With us there were two members that were helping us for about an hour and a half, we found MANY families that are interested in hearing the message of the gospel.  I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father lead us to where he needed us, and that he opened the heart of the people to be interested in allowing us to share with them.  I am excited to see what comes out of this, and I know that this gospel will bless these families lives.  I am also so grateful for the plan of salvation, through which we can know exactly where our loved ones are, and not have to worry about them as they dwell in a better place.

Testimony time:  The scripture that we chose to "meditizar" this week was Ramons 1:16, and it says;
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Jesus Christ gospel is the way that he showed us that we must live to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  He set the perfect example for us of how to live and one day obtain eternal life.  We live in a world where the gospel of Christ is not the most popular way to live.  But, I am here to testify with all my heart that there is nothing shameful about living the gospel of Christ.  It is the way to the most happiness, and satan can say otherwise but nothing changes.  It is the only way to salvation, and I feel so grateful that his true gospel was restored through a living prophet, Joseph Smith.  We all must open our mouths to declare this, and if anyone does not know I invite you to take the chance and know for yourself.  We can all receive a witness of the truth of these things, and I know for myself because I receive that witness many times a day.  I testify of its truthfulness.  I testify of the love of God, and for that reason we sent his son.  Even though the fullness of the truth was eventually lost, God has reached out again in his love by restoring it.  That truth is found in our days, it is taught by living prophets and apostles, it is found in the Holy Scriptures, especially the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.  It is found within his true church.  Of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

My birthday celebration!  My birthday was filled with a day of many miracles!  It was wonderful!!!

My life is full of many surprises everyday!