August 22, 2016 "En verdad os digo, aun como yo soy"

Tortillas: 30

This was an amazing week, and I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord! The definite highlight was on Saturday to participate in the baptism of Mario Gomez.

 In the time that he has been learning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he has change completely. He went from not believing in God, to making covenants to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of his life, and in a great way that is thanks to his amazing family members that have been the best of examples to him. Sadly, I will finally admit, this week my two year full time as a missionary will come to an end, and I will be returning to the United States of America. There are many mixed feelings, but I would say mostly nervousness but also calmness. Nervousness because of the new life that I am begin, but calmness because of the assurity that I have done what the Lord has needed in Guatemala, and as it says in 2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"

My wish is to continue fighting the good fight, now and for all eternity. There is no greater blessing than that of being called as a disciple of Jesus Christ, his invitation to follow him is extended to each and every one of us. 

Mejor Milagro:

What has been the greatest miracle that I have seen in all of my time here? The miracle of conversion. In one occasion, President Monson said that we need to develop the ability to see men not as they are, but as they can become. It is magnificent to see how much people can change as they humble themselves before God and allow him to change them. The gospel turns bad people into good, and good people into great, and I see this every single day. The Lord has given me the blessing to see many people change their lives, and to be an instrument in his hands to help them do so, and I am eternally grateful for this blessing. Also, I have seen the marvelous POWER of the Book of Mormon. I know that it sounds too good to be true, but literally any person who takes the time to study this sacred book of scripture and learn from the revelation that come, will be changed. It has the power to convince all men that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that thanks to his atonement we can all be forgiven for our sins. God expects us all to help our fellow man by doing the small things so that they can become the people that God wants them to become. 

Testimony Time:

In the Saviours visit to America, he expounded upon his Gospel, and I am grateful for the insights that we receive in 3 Nefi 27. In this chapter is contained the verse of scripture that has become my personally model, the goal for my life that I know is possible. In 3 Nefi 27:27, it says:

27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people,according to the judgment which I shall give unto you,which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

We all have the potential, as sons and daughters of a God, to become as he is. We must have the vision in mind and work towards it every day, modeling every second of our lives as much as we can after the perfect man that was sent to pay for our sins, even Jesus Christ. In the verse, he makes a very simple invitation to all of humanity of the types of men and woman that we must be, and after his own example he responds very simple "even as I am". Being even as he is is the most difficult task that we will encounter in our lives. Become as him, perfect in all ways. But, he knew that all of us would fall short of the glory of God, and for this reason has proportioned the way that we can become even as he is through the glorious gift of repentance. We must apply this gift every day, because every day we will continue to commit errors and we will see that we fall short of perfection. It will not be in this life that we obtain perfection, but in the next, and all he asks of us is to do our best to become the closest to this perfection. There is not greater joy that comes as we pursue this goal, but it is a path of much sacrifice. He will ask us to give up some of the things that we love most, to lose our lives for his sake, but only as we lose ourselves can we find the real us that we were intended to become, even before the foundation of this world. This invitation is given to all, and as we run into those that are still not on the pathway towards becoming as he is, we can invite them to come and see and participate of the marvelous love of our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for these last two years of inviting and helping people to come unto Christ, and it is amazing to see that as I have done so and worked to forget myself, I myself have come unto him. I know and testify that our Saviour lives and loves us. He knows each one of us in a personally way, and knows what we need. I know that he has proportioned the knowledge necessary to arrive to the celestial kingdom thanks to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My joy is complete in him, and I love my Saviour and Heavenly Father with all of my heart. I testify of their divinity, and of the glorious plan that has been put into place, and continue with all of my heart to invite all to come unto Christ. I finish with the word of Moroni, and his invitation in Moroni 10:32

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

This is the path that we all must take, and I testify of His almight power, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

August 15, 2016 "él cambió sus corazones"

Lunch with Elder Romero and David

Tortillas: 10


Cada semana es lo mejor en la obra del Señor! This was a crazy week with much to do, but that was great. We made two trips to Xela, each way being about 3 hours so we had time in bus.

 Also, we had stake conference this week which was great. A newly sustained Area 70 came, Elder Moroni Perez, which was great. I have had some interaction with him because before being called he was in the mission presidency, and was assigned to Santa Ana Huista. He is a great man, and I know he was called by the Lord. Also, I had the blessing to do a traditional division this week and went to the area of La Viña with Elder Moreno.

 For them it is a challenging area because it is very small, only about 3 streets, but they continue working hard. A very important aspect in the Lords work is exact obedience, and I know that as servents of the Lord we are obedient with exactness, we will receive great and amazing blessings!

Mejor Milagro:


You know, our Heavenly Father wants us to make and obtain goals. He wants for us to see success, and I have seen that all through out my mission. As missionaries we make daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals, yearly goals, and even more because goals are very important. We had an experience this week as we were arriving towards the end of the week, but set some goals that day so that we could accomplish our weekly goals. They were high, but at a level that we could reach. All throughout the day we saw that as we worked, the Lord prepared the way for us to complete with these goals that we had put by faith and with the Help of the Lord. He put those people prepared in our way, and allowed us to complete with what we desired. All thoughout the day I was marvelled because of how unusual it was to find so many people on a Sunday, which is the most dead day of the week. I know that this is the work of the Lord, and that we are simply insturments in his hands. Oh what a blessing it is to be an insturment for him and how he gives me the blessing to do what he needs!


Testimony Time:


I love so much to study about conversion, and the results that come as God changes us. In the scriptures we find many stories of how people were changed in great ways. In one occasion, the Prophet Alma was teaching about the process of returning to the presence of God, and in Alma 5 he is very clear about conversion and what must happen so that we can come before God in the last day, with clean hands and pure hearts. I really enjoyed what he said in verse 7:


7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.


One of the most amazing miracles that I have seen is how the Lord changes hearts. How he has changed my own heart and how he changes that of us all. Many times we find ourselves in this "deep sleep" that Alma talks about. We dont realize that we are missing something in our lives, but we are. It is not until everything hits rock bottom that we come to that realization and we begin to search. It is this search that leads many people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings light into our lives and releases us from these bands of death. Many times, he cannot change our hearts because simply they are too hard. How can we know if our heart is hard? Well, a key indicator is if we are not willing to submit ourselves to the will of the father. We are not willing to humble ourselves and simply we do not search him in every moment, "always remembering him". When we begin to rely on our own knowledge and forget about the divine help that we need night and day, we are in a bad situation. But, my dear friends, if we are willing this can change. If we are willing to search the will of God, he is willing teach us. If we are willing to humble ourselves and take our weakness before him, he can make those weaknesses into strengthst. We must wish for this change in heart, and if we do not and we do not humble ourselves, he will do it. But, it is much better that we humble ourselves. I know that the love of our Heavenly Father and Saviour are so great, even greater than we can understand. They wish for us to come unto them, and the Saviour always has his arms open to us. That is a center of the Plan of Salvation, that we all can change, and as we wish to change with his help we will see great miracles in our lives. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Trip to Xela, eating Chinese food with some of my favorite people!




--
Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

August 8, 2016 "Veo la maravillosa luz de Dios"

Tortillas: 16 (I think, not really sure)


Este semana fue una semana de mucha felicidad! This was a great week with much done! The best experiences were that we were able to go to the temple as a Zone, and we were able to do much work for the Lord, that is the best! Today we had a Zone activity and went to the Ruins in Zaculeu.

We played some capture the flag there and it was a great time. Los mayas estarían orgullosos. This week I am grateful for my companion, Elder Romero. 

He is a great missionary and I am grateful for his willingness to give the Lord his all. The Lord wants 100 from each and every one of us. That is what this life is all about, doing our best and seeing progress. That progress if we do it in the way the Lord wants will lead us to our celestial home and will allow us to become truly the best. He does not only have work prepared for us right now, but for all eternity. That is what our existence is all about, working and giving our all to bring to pass much good.


Mejor Milagro:


Our mission President gave us the challenge to print a list of all the members in the ward and visit them one by one, each day, activo and menos activo, to invite them to write their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon and to give it to one of their friends. One of the familys we visited was that of the Young Womans President. Her husband has actually been less active, but we had an amazing visit and gave them the invitation, which they accepted with much joy. That sunday not only did her husband arrive for the first time in my time here, but they brought their sobrino who they gave the Book of Mormon to. We have begun to teach him, and it is amazing to see the change that has occured. Before they gave him the copy, he had been telling everyone that he was athiest and that did not want anything to do with what people say about God, but this simple gift and testimony has changed everything. He is now preparing to make the sacred covenant of baptism, and has told his family members that he wants to serve a mission and share with others the joy that he has found. It is amazing what miracles can happen with the help of the Lord!


Testimony Time:


This week I read the story of Alma the younger, the son of a Prophet here in America ancient that was a very wicked man. He went about trying to destroy the people of God with his buddies, the sons of Mosiah. But, in their way an angel called them to repentance, and I truly enjoy what he said in Mosiah 27:29


29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.


There is no better desciption of the amazing blessings of repentace. I testify of this marvelous light of God that comes as we are willing to repent of our sins! Last week I talked about keeping the commandments and the importance of that. But, we all are not perfect and we commit mistakes. Alma was one of the worst sinners know to man! It talked about how he did not just break the commandments, but also the laws of the land! The did the worst of the worst, but he changed and in an instant became one of the most powerful missionaires of history. Many times we allow ourselves to have past mistakes keep us down and not let us progress. It is like trying to run with a backpack full of rocks, we cannot do it very easily! But, we do not need to unnecicarily take around with us those rocks of sin and chains of death and hell, but we can remove than thanks to the glorious atonement of Jesus Christ. My dear friends, I cannot tell you how sweet it is to be taken out of that darkest abyss of sin and mistakes and be returned to the marveious like. We cannot think that it is impossible, but it is possible and it is amazing! That is why I am here to help all come to repentance and enjoy of this marvelous light, because there is nothing greater than this! I invite all to come to see it for themselvse, and if you have already felt it to feel it each day as we truly repent with frequence. I love you all each so much, and my greatest desire is that all can be redeemed by His saving love, even that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


If there is any that would like to understand more of this glorious gift, and I am welcome to receive your questions.

August 1,2016 "Sé que si guardáis los mandamientos de Dios, seréis salvos"

 

Tortillas: 11

Una semana con muchos sancudos! I am not sure what happened, but this week the heat went up and the number of mosquitos also did! That means that we are applying bug repelant about every 2 hours, which is not a fun experience, but it is better than getting dengue and chikinguña.




We also had a multizone conference this week with more than 50 missionaries, and it was a great experience.








I am grateful for the learning that comes by the spirit and how we can see exactly what we can do to change and become better. I am also grateful for an inspired mission president, President Smith. We saw great advances in our area this week, and especially how the Lords work never stops. I am grateful for every moment that I have to serve my brothers and sisters here, and to see how happy these people are even though many are found in humble circumstances. The interesting thing is that those that have less seem to be happier than those who have more! They see more the blessings that come from God, and they are grateful for everything.





Mejor Milagro:

We had an experience this week after the multizone when we arrive to the house of some people that we had contacted in the street. We had not been able to find them, but when we arrived they gladly let us in. The most interested was the mom, who became very happy as we explained the blessings of the marvelous Book of Mormon. She truly did not understand our purpose being there until we explained the restoration centered in the importance of the Book of Mormon, and that lead her to be willing to take the desicions to progress and follow Christ. She willing accepted all of the commitments, and as we invited her to read she excitedly accepted, saying that she loved to read and was excited to read this amazing book. I am grateful also for the daily miracles as we contact with the Book of Mormon in hand and the difference in reactions that we see in the people we meet.







Testimony Time:


As I continue my reading in the Book of Mormon, I am grateful for the examples of amazing missionaires like a man named Abinadi, who ended up dieing by fire for being willing to preach of Christ. I especially liked one teach that he focussed on in Mosiah 12:33, which says,


33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:


Just like Abinadi, I cannot stress the amazing importance that is exact obedience to the commandments of God. Even those that may seem small an insignificant to us, we must be exactly obedient, because that exact obedience is what brings miracles in our lives. I am grateful for the peace of mind that comes by keeping the commandments, and the closeness we can come to God because of showing our love to him. Just as Jesus Christ teaches, if ye love me, keep my commandments. As we come to truly love God and our Saviour, we come closer to them and progress to eternal life. I cannot stress the importance that is obedience. It is the factor that decides between the true disciples of Christ, and those who simply speak, but their hearts are far from him. As we pray each day for the help and protection to be obedient and keep the commandments in every aspect, we will be greatly blessed. I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. My only wish is to serve them as they wish I would, and to be an effective instrument in their hands. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

They are Claudio and Damaris, investigators that I taught for my whole time in Panorama who were never baptised because they could not get divorced, but this week they were married and baptized!

July 25, 2017 "tal como un niño se somete a su padre"

Tortillas: 16


This week was a bit crazy! We worked hard in our area, but we also went to a village called Pueblo Viejo with some Elders that are about 2.5 hours away from us in the middle of no where! There is literally nothing, unlike the villages in our areas with are close to the city, but it was an amazing experience.



That pizza survived a 2.5 hour bus ride on a crazy dirt road, then when we arrived the power went out, so we ate it cold. Was it worth it? For sure!





The Elder Sanchez is branch president there of a small branch of about 30, but these people are amazing.



Some of the poorest people I have met, but the richest in joy and in the spirit. It was great to see a new type of work in a small village. We also saw this week how the Lord lead us to more families that need what we bring, and to see the progress of these people as they read the Book of Mormon. We find many people who simply reject because what we bring is something different, but as those who are willing to open their hearts and as Christ says, those that have ears to hear, hear, they can come to receive great blessings from more of the Word of God.


Mejor Milagro:


There is a place in our area that we almost have no investigators simply because it is a bit far away for people to come to church, but we went one day this week by the guidance of the spirit to San Lorenzo. As we arrived, the visits we had planned were not home, so we decided to begin searching for more people to teach. At one house we called out and a woman walked out. We introduced ourselves and how as missionaries we had been sent to this house at this moment by Jesus Christ himself to being something for their family, and we offered to pass which she accepted with joy. We began to talk with her and her children and the first question we asked was "Jesus Christ send us here because your family needs us, but we do not know why. What do you need that he has sent us here to do?" In that moment, she completely opened up. She explained that she and her family had been passing very serious difficulties, and have distanced themselves from God because they have no church to go to, because of corruption of the small churches in the villages. She told us that they have felt in much need to come closer to God, but have not known how. When we testified and shared with her the blessing of what we bring and what it entails, she lit up completely. She accepted what we brought with great joy, and we are excited this week to return with the whole family. Not just that, but a councelor in the stake presidency lives mas o menos close to them, and their children are exactly the same in gender and age! God has been prepareing this family.


Testimony time:


I have enjoyed what I have learned by the spirit as I have studied the Book of Mormon. I especially enjoyed in Mosiah 3:19, which says,



19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.


As I read this verse and what King Benjamin taught in the rest of the chapter, I realized that the only way that we can become as a child and become perfect one day as God expects, we must know the manner that God has put in place, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is literally the way that we need to take to do what it explains in this verse, put off the natural man and become perfect in Christ. When Christ was in the earth, he taught his Gospel in its perfect and complete form, but sadly with his death and the death of the apostles, the fulness of the Gospel of lost. In our days we see that there are many people that wish to follow Christ and be the people that he wishes, but simply cannot because of the confusion that has come because of the creation of so many churches. There are so many good people that are blinded because of this sad occurrence, and we see them every day. It is the most amazing blessing as a missionary to search for the people that truly want to follow Christ, not a church nor a pastor or leader, but Jesus Christ himself. The Restored Gospel is for all people, and that is what we bring. We all look for this forgiveness from God for our sins. We all want to be the people that God expects of us, but in the world we life in it is impossible unless we know exactly how, and that is what Jesus Christ himself taught. I love my Saviour so much, and I am so grateful that he came down and gave his life for me. I am so grateful that he redeemed for my sins, and yours, and all of ours. I know that the gospel has been Restored through Joseph Smith in our days without a doubt. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and as we study its words we learn the will of God for us and how to become clean every day. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.




Map of Huehue that is in Parque Central.



Tortillas!!!



Elder Foster from Salt Lake and Elder Moreno from Mexico, they came for divisions!