I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Date
March 28, 2016
Area
Parker Colorado
Companion
Elder Layton
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
This has been a really tough week. It has also been one of the most amazing weeks yet. Funny how those things often seem to coincide. Any who, I’ll give my best attempt at a quick recap.
So we have been getting pretty low on our allotted miles for the month, so we decided to drive to our area on Tuesday and then bike around our area. It was fun biking for the first time and we visited a few people. Then we decided to knock on this random door. The guy ended up coming to the door after like 3 times ringing his doorbell. We started just talking to him and my companion made a comment about the man’s wife, and he told us he was going through a divorce. He ended up opening up to us and telling us about it. His son came home and so my companion played catch with him in the driveway while I was able to talk with him in his garage. I bore testimony of the Saviors atonement and his ability to help us through difficult times. The man, whose name is Todd, was really receptive and sat there with me for 20 minutes talking about life and Christ. He said he wanted us to come back and would love to talk more. It was one of those small miracles where we happened to be in the right place at the right time.
The next day there was a huge storm, which naturally had be feeling right at home. We found out right away that the mission grounded all of the mission vehicles, but Elder Layton had a doctor appointment so we had to make a ton of calls and get s member to drive us. It was a pretty crazy blizzard. So Elder Layton ended up having a blister that was infected so the doctor told him to take it easy for a while, so we went home and immediately went to go help someone move that lived across the street from us. There was 5 sets of missionaries there helping because the apartment was bad. I mean really bad. After that we decided to go on exchanges so I wouldn't have to stay home so I went out with Elder Hall and his companion stayed back with my companion. So we got all dressed up, and ended out in the blizzard to walk to our first lesson. Along the way we helped 3 or 4 cars get out of the snow so we were pretty late for our first lesson, but I think they all understood lol.
It was fun getting to be with Elder Hall for the day. He is a really great guy and I think we both were able to help each other learn a lot. He kept telling me he wished he could serve with me more so he could learn more from me. I always laugh when Elders say that. If only they knew how little I really know. But anyway, we continued to walk around and go to lessons for the rest of the day. Last was our Dinner appointment. It was actually a couple that I had seen at the stake center two weeks ago and I had talked to them briefly. It was fun to get to talk to them more. Their family was amazing and I am hoping to see them again. We taught them a lesson after dinner and the spirit was STRONG in the room. We were talking about missionary work and I asked the husband if he thought it was the spirit that prompted him to take certain steps that he had in inviting friends. He said he didn't really think it was the spirit. I shared with him the story of Elder Bednar giving President Packer a 20 frank bill when he was a missionary. If you dont know that story look it up! I shared with him that we are promised the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost when we live worthy. The closer we get to the spirit, he becomes a very part of us. That our thoughts become His thoughts. That we don’t always need to feel super powerful feelings of the spirit to know we are doing what the Lord wants us to do but rather it becomes almost "natural". I could see in their eyes that the things we were saying were having an effect on them. It was amazing to be able to watch the impact of our words.
On Thursday we had a dinner at this family’s home that is simply awesome. They are so cool! I really like the dad and feel a great connection with him. He gave us a tour of their house and all the cool things they have built. They have literally the coolest home theater I have ever seen in my life. We will be watching one session of conference there so I’ll send pictures. They also have a weight room in their basement that they said we could use. #blessings
Then on Friday we got a text from our dinner appointment telling us that the husband’s mother was at their house sick and would be on the couch when we got there. They had told us before that her testimony was kind of struggling, so we prepared a message specifically for her. We got there and I found out that she grew up in Appleton. Crazy small world!! She described where she lived and I knew exactly where she was talking about. She asked about the Thiel’s and some other families. It was hilarious. So after dinner we shared the message and again the spirit was there. Everyone could feel it. Everyone was uplifted and edified. We asked the mother if there was anything we could do for her. Her son asked if she wanted us to give her a blessing. He asked me if I would be willing to give the blessing. I felt the spirit so strong, as I spoke the words that came to me. I could tell that it was what she needed and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the blessing. The family also gave me a pull up bar so I know God is watching over me ;)
Later that night we also had to give our recent convert Ben a blessing as he was slightly struggling. I had the opportunity to give that one as well. The next day he was doing great so it was good to see that it helped him.
Then Saturday, we were driving down the street and saw this guy making a snow fort in his front yard. We felt like we should go back so we did. We asked if we could help out for a little bit. So first of all we had fun and got to play in the snow. We talked as we built the fort. His name was James and he was so cool! Literally one of the most down to earth guys I have ever met. Super chill but cool and had a really good perspective on things. He is married with a two year old son and his wife is pregnant with their second child. After we helped we shared the Easter video with him and talked with him about Christ. He was raised Catholic but always believed he should find out for himself. He wanted to meet again and learn more so we are super excited about him. Totally an answer to prayers. He is a flight attendant so he is gone a lot but we are excited to meet with him soon.
Then Sunday we enjoyed getting looked at like we were crazy when we were out and about visiting people. What else is new? We were waiting for our last appointment but they said they would be a little bit before they got home. We decided to reschedule and go home to finish some stuff we hadn't done. As we passed the street of the family with the weight room, I said we should ask them if we could really use their weight room early in the morning. Elder Layton asked if we could just call or go in person. I said I thought we should turn around and go back and ask real quickly. After we talked about the weight room for a little bit the father said he had a question for us. He is the deacon’s quorum adviser and we attended the quorum meeting that day so he wanted our perspective. As we talked, he shared with us some of his frustrations. Elder Layton and I were able to share with him some things which allowed him to totally see situations in a different light. We were able to bear testimony that The Lord is in control and there was no need to fear. I could see tears in his eyes as he realized things from his past that played out just the way the Lord wanted and he had never realized. It was an amazing experience.
Then this morning we were doing a little bit of shopping and this man working at the grocery store came up and asked us where the nearest church was. I started talking to him and found out he had taken lessons from the missionaries when he lived in Iowa but his wife was catholic. We got his number and his address and told him that we would send the missionaries that lived near him over to him. It was a huge miracle that happened! It is amazing the way things turn out!
I think I will leave it at that. This is long enough. I am so grateful for all the blessing that have come to me. This opportunity to serve the Lord is something that I will forever cherish. I can't express how grateful I am to be where I am and how grateful I am for all of you. I Know That My Redeemer Lives. I put that as the subject for my email this week because in our wards church service yesterday, two small young sisters sang that song. They had wonderful voices and it was beautiful. More than just the beauty of the song, is the truth behind those words. I DO know that my redeemer lives. Because he lives I know that we will all live again. For that I am forever grateful and will continue to sing praises to Him for the rest of my life.
Love Elder Richards
So we have been getting pretty low on our allotted miles for the month, so we decided to drive to our area on Tuesday and then bike around our area. It was fun biking for the first time and we visited a few people. Then we decided to knock on this random door. The guy ended up coming to the door after like 3 times ringing his doorbell. We started just talking to him and my companion made a comment about the man’s wife, and he told us he was going through a divorce. He ended up opening up to us and telling us about it. His son came home and so my companion played catch with him in the driveway while I was able to talk with him in his garage. I bore testimony of the Saviors atonement and his ability to help us through difficult times. The man, whose name is Todd, was really receptive and sat there with me for 20 minutes talking about life and Christ. He said he wanted us to come back and would love to talk more. It was one of those small miracles where we happened to be in the right place at the right time.
The next day there was a huge storm, which naturally had be feeling right at home. We found out right away that the mission grounded all of the mission vehicles, but Elder Layton had a doctor appointment so we had to make a ton of calls and get s member to drive us. It was a pretty crazy blizzard. So Elder Layton ended up having a blister that was infected so the doctor told him to take it easy for a while, so we went home and immediately went to go help someone move that lived across the street from us. There was 5 sets of missionaries there helping because the apartment was bad. I mean really bad. After that we decided to go on exchanges so I wouldn't have to stay home so I went out with Elder Hall and his companion stayed back with my companion. So we got all dressed up, and ended out in the blizzard to walk to our first lesson. Along the way we helped 3 or 4 cars get out of the snow so we were pretty late for our first lesson, but I think they all understood lol.
It was fun getting to be with Elder Hall for the day. He is a really great guy and I think we both were able to help each other learn a lot. He kept telling me he wished he could serve with me more so he could learn more from me. I always laugh when Elders say that. If only they knew how little I really know. But anyway, we continued to walk around and go to lessons for the rest of the day. Last was our Dinner appointment. It was actually a couple that I had seen at the stake center two weeks ago and I had talked to them briefly. It was fun to get to talk to them more. Their family was amazing and I am hoping to see them again. We taught them a lesson after dinner and the spirit was STRONG in the room. We were talking about missionary work and I asked the husband if he thought it was the spirit that prompted him to take certain steps that he had in inviting friends. He said he didn't really think it was the spirit. I shared with him the story of Elder Bednar giving President Packer a 20 frank bill when he was a missionary. If you dont know that story look it up! I shared with him that we are promised the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost when we live worthy. The closer we get to the spirit, he becomes a very part of us. That our thoughts become His thoughts. That we don’t always need to feel super powerful feelings of the spirit to know we are doing what the Lord wants us to do but rather it becomes almost "natural". I could see in their eyes that the things we were saying were having an effect on them. It was amazing to be able to watch the impact of our words.
On Thursday we had a dinner at this family’s home that is simply awesome. They are so cool! I really like the dad and feel a great connection with him. He gave us a tour of their house and all the cool things they have built. They have literally the coolest home theater I have ever seen in my life. We will be watching one session of conference there so I’ll send pictures. They also have a weight room in their basement that they said we could use. #blessings
Then on Friday we got a text from our dinner appointment telling us that the husband’s mother was at their house sick and would be on the couch when we got there. They had told us before that her testimony was kind of struggling, so we prepared a message specifically for her. We got there and I found out that she grew up in Appleton. Crazy small world!! She described where she lived and I knew exactly where she was talking about. She asked about the Thiel’s and some other families. It was hilarious. So after dinner we shared the message and again the spirit was there. Everyone could feel it. Everyone was uplifted and edified. We asked the mother if there was anything we could do for her. Her son asked if she wanted us to give her a blessing. He asked me if I would be willing to give the blessing. I felt the spirit so strong, as I spoke the words that came to me. I could tell that it was what she needed and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the blessing. The family also gave me a pull up bar so I know God is watching over me ;)
Later that night we also had to give our recent convert Ben a blessing as he was slightly struggling. I had the opportunity to give that one as well. The next day he was doing great so it was good to see that it helped him.
Then Saturday, we were driving down the street and saw this guy making a snow fort in his front yard. We felt like we should go back so we did. We asked if we could help out for a little bit. So first of all we had fun and got to play in the snow. We talked as we built the fort. His name was James and he was so cool! Literally one of the most down to earth guys I have ever met. Super chill but cool and had a really good perspective on things. He is married with a two year old son and his wife is pregnant with their second child. After we helped we shared the Easter video with him and talked with him about Christ. He was raised Catholic but always believed he should find out for himself. He wanted to meet again and learn more so we are super excited about him. Totally an answer to prayers. He is a flight attendant so he is gone a lot but we are excited to meet with him soon.
Then Sunday we enjoyed getting looked at like we were crazy when we were out and about visiting people. What else is new? We were waiting for our last appointment but they said they would be a little bit before they got home. We decided to reschedule and go home to finish some stuff we hadn't done. As we passed the street of the family with the weight room, I said we should ask them if we could really use their weight room early in the morning. Elder Layton asked if we could just call or go in person. I said I thought we should turn around and go back and ask real quickly. After we talked about the weight room for a little bit the father said he had a question for us. He is the deacon’s quorum adviser and we attended the quorum meeting that day so he wanted our perspective. As we talked, he shared with us some of his frustrations. Elder Layton and I were able to share with him some things which allowed him to totally see situations in a different light. We were able to bear testimony that The Lord is in control and there was no need to fear. I could see tears in his eyes as he realized things from his past that played out just the way the Lord wanted and he had never realized. It was an amazing experience.
Then this morning we were doing a little bit of shopping and this man working at the grocery store came up and asked us where the nearest church was. I started talking to him and found out he had taken lessons from the missionaries when he lived in Iowa but his wife was catholic. We got his number and his address and told him that we would send the missionaries that lived near him over to him. It was a huge miracle that happened! It is amazing the way things turn out!
I think I will leave it at that. This is long enough. I am so grateful for all the blessing that have come to me. This opportunity to serve the Lord is something that I will forever cherish. I can't express how grateful I am to be where I am and how grateful I am for all of you. I Know That My Redeemer Lives. I put that as the subject for my email this week because in our wards church service yesterday, two small young sisters sang that song. They had wonderful voices and it was beautiful. More than just the beauty of the song, is the truth behind those words. I DO know that my redeemer lives. Because he lives I know that we will all live again. For that I am forever grateful and will continue to sing praises to Him for the rest of my life.
Love Elder Richards
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