Re: Dunn Ave Transfer 3 Week 2- "Prince of Peace"

December 21, 2020

, , Peru

Whoops accidentally pressed send before I was done 😂
Hola Familia y Amigos! 
Merry Christmas! How is everyone? Things are going good here in Jacksonville. Just staying busy and enjoying the Christmas season. I'm grateful for this time of year and the opportunity that we're given to focus less on ourselves, and more on others. What a perfect holiday to represent Christ, because that's exactly how He lived His life. But this week has been really good. We've been staying busy which has been really nice. Lots of lessons and lots of opportunities to serve. Things in Jacksonville are moving along really well. We've got the opportunity to teach some new people and they're pretty amazing. The main ones are Tabitha and Edith. Tabitha's a lady who is in her 40's who is hilarious. We gave her a church tour and she told us all about her life. She's had a pretty hard life but its been cool to see her recognizing the blessings that come from turning to Christ. Edith's pretty awesome too, she's pretty similar to Tabitha. Shes had a hard life but has seen miracles come from reading the Book of Mormon, and wants to learn more. Her and her husband also invited us over for dinner this next week so thats pretty sweet. But the work keeps moving forward and we keep seeing miracles. Elder Arp and I are also getting along really well. He's a super funny dude and is a stud teacher. He's been teaching me how to do some things like how to play the guitar which has been pretty cool. So things are good. We also were able to do some service this week. We went over to Celestial Farms and played with some baby pigs and goats, and also helped them set up for a wedding. We also got to go do the Toys for Tots toy drive which was super fun, basically we got to go shopping for little kids so they could have toys for Christmas. Looking at all the toys took me back to those days for sure haha. But being able to serve and turn outwards always makes everything so much better. I haven't really noticed just how much joy comes from serving others until I came out here. But just being able to see the joy in people's eyes when they're shown love, brings joy. 
Spiritual thought: Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I've been thinking about how big of a blessing Christ's birth really was for all of us. If you think of a world without Christ, you'll think of a world without hope, without peace, without a purpose. There would be no reason to try, because failing would be inevitable. But because of Christ, there is a reason to life. There is hope. When our life is dark, he can bring us light. And so I am so grateful for the chance that we have to celebrate the beginning of so much hope.
Well thats all I got this week, thanks so much everyone for the packages and things that you've sent me. Love you all, have a great Christmas! 
Elder Richardson 
Photos: 
1. Golfing a little while ago2. Baby goats