February 20, 2016 "fulfilled thus far, every whit"

Tortillas: 15

This week was great and very busy, with more than usually happening! One occurrence that made it go by fast was a trip that we had to take the the City of Guatemala with a missionary going home. Farewell Elder Workman, we love you!  Well done!

It is amazing to see how big the city is now that I am so used to Xela and small villages. Nice to see some more modern things, but also nice to be back under the moon of Xelaju and the volcano of Santa Maria. I have spent most of my mission in this wonderful city, and each day I love it more and more. The people are very different from any other place. Very rooted in their traditions, but very loving to everyone that they meet. I have learned a lot as I have served them.  

Mejor Milagro: 

We have some time that we have been teaching a family that Elder Maynes and I found contacting, and it is amazing to see the progress that they are making, with is truly divine. They are from a far away mountain village, but have come to the city to work. They live in a very humble home, and much of our teaching is not easily understood, but they have taken quickly to the gospel, thanks to the father. The first time we met him, he was actually drunk. But, ever since we have taught the restoration and the Book of Mormon, he has been reading and coming to church. His life has been changing, and he is anxiously preparing for baptism. We are seeing that little by little his family is following his example. Now, his wife included is coming to church, and his mother in law who at first had no desires to learn more is being captivated more every time we visit. The amazing thing is that the father is the only one that can read, but because of the spirit the others are gaining their testimony of the truth of the restoration. I am so grateful to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to be able to help in the progress of his children, and for me it is an amazing blessing to see how much this gospel blesses my brothers and sisters. 

Testimony Time:

As I finished the book of Ether, I was impacted by the story of Corantumr, a wicked man that chose to continue in his wickedness, even when the prophet Ether had warned him of the consequences. What impacted me is in Ether 15:3, which says,

"3 He began to repent of the evil which he had done; he began to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophets, and he saw them that they were fulfilled thus far, every whit; and his soul mourned and refused to be comforted."

When we chose to listen or not to listen to the words of the Prophets of God, we will always at some point come to realize the bad consequence or the blessings. In the story of Corantumr, he came to know that Ether was a prophet because as promised, he saw the destruction of his people and was left alone. In our days, thanks to the restoration, we have the knowledge of modern day Prophets and Apostles. What a blessing it is! They are the mouth of God, and we can receive direct instuction of God though them. God has given us our agency to choose to follow his councel or not. I can testify that we will always find our happiness and success as we follow the council of Gods chosen servants. We must study to know the word of God each day, and then apply is it in our daily lives. We will see the blessings, and I see them every day as I come closer to my Saviour and Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 My birthday package came!!!  It only took 5 1/2 months to get to me! Love you!

 We have so much fun on P Day!

February 13, 2016 "armed with thy power"

 Elder Monsalvo from Mexico and Elder Landgraf from Hawaii and of course my companion Elder Silva

Tortillas:10

We had another wonderful week of blessing and joy in the service of the Lord. Always busy with lots to do. Our house has really become the "missionary hotel" because almost every night we have had missionaries staying in our house because they could not go back to their area because of various reasons. Also, the highlight of the week was to be able to go to the temple, and opportunity that comes only every six months! 

Mejor Milagro:

One night I was on divisions with an Elder. It was a surprise that we were going to be working, so for the next three hours we had no appointments set. So, our only option was to follow the spirit to where God needed us. At first, we were found out in the cold, lost with what we needed to do, but as we asked for guidance we knocked on a house and were welcomed in by a loving family, searching to come closer to God. We shared and set another appointment, of which they were very excited for. Then, we continued. Many people did not allow us in, but as we endured, we were able to find another family that was ready to receive the Gospel. I am so grateful that the Lord is there to guide us when we call, and show us what he needs us to do. I know that as we seek his help in every moment, he will guide us to where he needs us. The guidance from his spirit is real and comes as we are worthy. 

Testimony Time:

This week as we went to the temple, I remembered a promise that is found in the book of Doctrine and Convenants 109:

22 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, temples are different from normal chapels where we have meetings. It is a sacred place that we go to become closest possible to God that we can on this earth. Only those who have prepared and are worthy to enter are able to enjoy of the blessings of the temple, but the blessings are great. We read in this verse blessings of power and protection celestial. As we go we can receive counsel from the Lord and more pure communication, as we are in a dedicated house of the Lord. I saw this week that as we left, I felt this extra spiritual power. I know and testify of the blessing of temples, thanks to the restoration. My invitation to all is to enjoy of this blessing as much as possible. If you are not yet able to go, prepare as to enjoy of all that the Lord has possible. I testify that the sacrifice to be able to go is completely worth it, and every time we go we can make our lives more in line with Gods will. It helps us to work towards perfection, of which is necessary to one day enter into the Lords presence. We can have the opportunity to have an eternal family, and what is better than being together forever! I have come to realize that a salvation without my family, really is not salvation, but I know that we can work together through these covenants to be together forever. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

 Templo Zona Xela

 View from the Temple

February 6, 2016 "And after many days"

This Volcano doesn't ever stop......creates a lot of excitement.......

Tortillas: 10

Otro semana magnifico en la hermosa ciudad de Xela! This was a crazy week. The mission is taking temple trips, so we have been busy with setting things up to make sure it is a great experience. I am super excited because this next week we are going to the temple! What a great experience to receive revelation and spiritual power. I feel so grateful to have the knowledge that there is a place as sacred as the house of the Lord that we can go and become closer to heaven!

Mejor Milagro:

As always, the best happens as we endure to the end. We found ourself one night with extra time, and began to stop people in the street to share with them a pamphlet and get their numbers for another visit. The focus always is on families, and what a beautiful sight it is to see one together walking in the street. We walked up to them and began to converse, and trust came quickly. We asked if we could write down their number to visit them, but they confessed that they did not have one. So, we asked where they lived, and they offered to show us. We walked with them and talked, and eventually arrived at a humble house, them being one of 4 families living there. We asked if we could return the next day, and they accepted. Also, to our suprise, their neighbor is a member! So, the next day we showed up, and we had contacted the member earlier to accompany us to the appointment. We entered and were welcomed to a humble house, with plastic stool to seat and speak about the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we talked, we came to learn that they have been searching to become followers of Christ for their your daughter of 2 years, but felt confused about all the many churches and which is the true. They felt weighed down about the past and have great desires to change. We taught the repentence and restoration. At the end we invited them to pray, and they told us that they did not know how. So, the member taught them how, and to our suprise, the father accepted to say a closing prayer as we had taught! We are excited to see how the spirit will touch this family and help them to come to know Christ!

Testimony Time:

Lately I have been reading the Pearl of Great Price, and I have been receiving revelation by reading the story of Adam and Eve. One thing really stuck out to me, that is found in Moises 5:6;

 6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

In this scripture there is an obvious teaching we can learn about sacrifices, but this time as I read, the phrase "And after many days" really caught my attention. We learn that after the fall of Adam and Eve, they continued in prayer and obedience to follow the Lord. They began to have and raise children, and obey the commandments. I imagine that Adam was desperately searching for instruction from the Lord. It was not until after much time of obedience, sacrifice, and prayer, did he receive instruction form the Lord though an angel. Many times in our life it is the same. We all want to know what the will of the Lord is. What does he want me to do with my life? What can I do to overcome a large difficulty? And many other questions. We can learn from Adam that through diligence and patience, the Lord will always in time send help. For Adam, it came after many days, and for us it may be the same. As long as we trust in the Lord and his plans, and search for his guidance, and acting on the instruction that we have received, it will always come. Of this I testify by experience, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango

January 30, 2016 "his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

Tortillas: 4


Estoy muy agradecido por las bendiciones de Dios sobre la gente de Guatemala! This was a great week, a little less crazy than the last. We have been working a lot of the Visas of the mission, setting up trips to the capital and stuff like that. We also had some travel this week closing areas.

The best part of this week was the amazing new people that we have been able to find. I feel so grateful to the Lord for able to see his hand in his work and to be his instrument


Mejor Milagro:


Truly, the greatest blessings from the Lord come as we endure to the end. My companion and I found ourselves with the last appointment of the night fallen. It is usually not the best to contact at night because no one wants to let you in, but we felt that contacting would be the best. We began to knock doors, but there was no success. Just small door windows opening, and saying no thank you. We were about the leave and go visit a less active family, when my companion was compeled to knock one last door. We explained who we were, and our purpose, and to our suprise the some of the sweetest words "Pasen adelante" or come on in. They accepted us very nicley, and we had the opportunity to touch their hearts to let us return a set date and investigate the church, with the hopes of knowing the truth. On our next appointment, we met their two teenage children, who also are very interesting, and the family promised us to come to church this sunday! I am so happy for the blessings of God, and to know that he is watching out for us. I see every day how much he wants for his children to return to his presence!


Testimony Time:


For this sunday I was assigned a talk on convenants, and to my mind came the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. My favorite scripture is:

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.



I would invite everyone to read the story. It is very short, but there is so much to learn. Naaman was a man with Leprosy, who searched for the prophet Elisha to be healed. The prophet gave him instructions so simple: go to the river Jordan and wash 7 times, and you will be healed. At first, Naaman angered, but he was urged to follow the instruciton, and we read the result. In our days it is the same with the simple instructions of the prophets. We are not asked to do much, but the simple things do miracles. Also, we can make the comparison about sacred coventant such as baptism. They may seem like just ritual acts, but if we have faith and complete with what we promise, they are the manner of becoming clean and returning to the presence of God. Through convents, simple acts, we keep ourselves on the road to salvation, and we find the ultimate happiness. I testify that they are a demonstation of the love of God, and it is a privalege to make and keep sacred convents, and to help others to the same. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Love you all! --

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

These pictures are from a fancy restaurant which is near the office.

 Santiagito Volcano is smoking all the time.

 This is our meeting house.

Yes, we like to eat, the food is pretty good here in Panorama!