Monday, January 20, 2014

December 30, 2013 - New Year! New Me!

I have never eaten so much in my life. We had a mangez-vous each day! We had a tradition French Christmas meal with our Branch President and his family (5 kids under the age of 11) It was SOOOO  delicious!! Everything was homemade!! Escargot, Oysters, Frog legs, Fois Gras, Salmon, Quail, bacon wrapped green beans, and a Buche de Noel! It was UNREAL delicious!! We felt so spoiled and blessed!! We did the Nativity scene with the family (making the branch president the Donkey...of course). It was sooo much fun. The kids were so excited for us to come! The Sunday before each one came up to me saying "do you know what you are doing Tuesday?! You are coming to be with me!! To eat with us!!" They were sooo excited! I love those kids sooo much!! 
Well well well....Christmas on the mission is the greatest! First off.....We got permission to watch a Disney movie.....yes a MOVIE!!! I will give you 3 guesses what I picked. TANGLED!!!! I was in heaven!! Christmas Day was quite an experience!! We pulled all our beds into the living/study room so we could fall asleep by the Christmas tree! We woke up and had Christmas morning. Yay presents!! It was a very sweet experience for us all. I was a little emotional. Especially when opening Zach and Jess's package....memories just came flooding in! After we ate a giant bowl of Cocoa Krispies (in honor of Dad!!). It was simply delicious!! We went to the Church and began preparations for Christmas Dinner with some people who had nowhere to go. The highlight of the day was obviously Skyping our families. The best part was walking to the internet cafe when we all decided that we weren’t sure if we should actually go and Skype. Hahaha. We were so anxious and nervous!! We then began thinking, “Can you imagine going home?!” NO! Oh my word....scary! I don’t ever want to go home. But I will. Otherwise I'd probably be breaking a million mission rules! Anyways...The day after Christmas we went and ate with La Famille Munn! We ate a traditional meal Raqulette!! Its potatoes with meat and melted cheese!! But there is a special machine for it....oh my word...it was UNREAL good!! We ate with a less active and a recent convert as well. We talked about Christ his birth, life, and death. The less active kept bring up all his worries, trails, and hardships. I was getting so bothered because he kept using them as an excuse. I finally said something like: "Jesus Christ, your brother, already suffered for each of your personal problems. Now is the time for you stand up, brush yourself off and walk with faith!" It sounds harsh but..I did it with a lot of love...at least I think so! hahaha :) 
I can’t believe this week I will be hitting my 9 months. Half way finished. I look back on the past 9 months and am amazed at the things I have learned and the ways I have changed. I can’t imagine my life without my mission. The people I have met, the friends that I’ve made, the cultures I've experienced, and the immense love I have grown for this gospel would have never been formed in this same way. And it’s all thanks to my mission. I love being a missionary. It is very hard at times, people laugh at my face, throw things at me, and I get shut down constantly. BUT I have never been happier. I have never loved my enemies sooo much. I enjoy every single bit of this work. If you have even considered a mission. PRAY. Right now...no matter your age, stage of life, anything. Pray to know if you should go and be willing to accept the answer you get. If you were to ask me "should I go on a mission?" I wouldn’t hesitate to say "YES!" I have never worked so hard and had so much fun! Missions are soooo fun!! My mission has changed my life! How lucky am I to have 9 months left!! YEEEHAW!! 

This Church is true!! CHRIST LIVES!! Set goals to improve yourself for the New Year!! Progress!! Love you all!!! Be a missionary wherever you are!! 

XOXO 
Soeur Richardson  


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