SIS. MELISSA RICHARDSON LETTER #7 -- AUGUST 26, 2013

SIS. MELISSA RICHARDSON LETTER #7

AUGUST 26, 2013

Hello! So the big news is that I have been called as a trainer.  On my second transfer people.  There are so many sisters coming in the next few transfers that they are calling trainers very early on, obviously.  Wow I am very humbled with this assignment.  I felt nervous about it when I thought about the possibility of it.  But as soon as President Craig called and asked me and Sister Hutchins to both train next transfer...I felt peace and knew that if God trusted me to do this, then He knows that I can do it and will help me.  I am anticipating a lot of moments of not knowing what to do in the next transfer and having to rely completly on God which will be good for me :)  Sister Hutchins will be leaving and opening up a new area as she trains.  I will be staying in St. Marys!  Which I am excited for! 

Another literature reference.  Some people's lives here are like Jurgis in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.  Bad things happen in people's lives and then just keep getting worse and worse and leading to other bad things.  And it is things that are just bad circumstances/bad luck and not any fault of their own.  Like people get sick and then are disabled and then they can' t work so then they have no money and then they get divorced and then they lose custody of their kids and then they are disfellowshipped by the church or excommunicated for sins that they've done....people's lives are just hard!! And complex!!!  Every soul is important to God though! Everyone deserves to feel loved!

I talked a little bit about this before...but welfare is a conflict here.  A hard experience that we've had is having to refuse people church welfare help...it just breaks your heart as they are carrying their child.  You know they really do need financial help.  But our church runs in a way where we give service to the church and then can receive welfare as the whole ward is working together and doing their part.  I have had to gain a testimony of that system because I don't understand it at times.  But I still know the gospel is true! :)

We are often trying to find people when they are at home so we can talk to them and see how they're doing and teach them.  It's hard to know when they will be there! But several times this week, me or Sis Hutchins have gotten a prompting to go see someone, and they were home then!  One lady even told us she had prayed for us to come that night.  That night, our plan to go see an investigator did not feel right and instead it felt right to go visit this less-active sister and that was God's plan.  So cool!  I love being this transparent tool of God to carry out His work and shepherding. 

We thought that Grace would be baptized this Sunday.  But she got called in to work.  It was kind of sad.  It was funny having this whole baptism planned with the interview done, programs printed, musical number ready, talks ready...and then having it fall through.  But we are trusting in God's timing and are praying for next Sunday!

I never realized how much missionaries know about people in the ward.  Because of the work we do, we are told about people's life histories, past trials, current trials, etc.  Things that could be perceived as gossip, but isn't, because it's not something we go around sharing...but use to help us know people's needs so that we can teach to their needs.

So I have still felt pretty miserable this week with this persistent horrible headache.  It's been frustrating because I hate staying in sick when we could be out doing missionary work...but it's been necessary several times when I am in so much pain I can't function.  But with prayer and promptings of the Spirit, I have finally figured out pain meds that work for me and help me function as a missionary.  A funny but scary experience was Thursday morning...a member had given me some drugs that she said was a doubled up ibuprofen...ya I shouldn't have taken it, that was a dumb move.  But I did.  And my body kind of went into shock...I was really light headed and spastic...got the chills...BUT my headache went away! Haha, we almost went to the emergency room that day...but then then the mission nurse gave us some answers and guided us through.

So I have discovered that the pain pills with caffeine in it is what makes the headache pain go away...so I have been taking that and finally felt better all yesterday.  No headache! It was so great! But I took it too late in the day and could not fall asleep.  I took Nyquil at midnight and fell asleep about 1 last night....haha it's been an adventure and still is.  But I think the amoxicillin is fighting the infection and hopefully the worst of it is over :)

I know I've said it before, but you should all read the book The power of an everyday missionary by christensen.  It will change your life.  We are using it to teach families in the ward about missionary work this week.  We have felt passionately about being involved with the youth as missionaries.  And the missionaries here were kind of already doing it...but we are trying to do it more.  We participate in their youth choir and go to young womens sometime.  But also, we are teaching young womens next week, offered to teach seminary some days, and are organizing a laurel activity for next week to go visit less active young women.  We need to inspire and encourage the youth and show them the power of missionary work and how fun and rewarding it is! 

We do things as missionaries that you wouldn't expect to be normal missionary work...this week we helped assemble trays of crackers for a wedding reception, used hot glue guns onto paper scrolls, scrubbed floors, held a crying sister and gave her a long, big hug.  You never know what a day will be like! 

Love you all!  My testimony has grown so much about so many things--the priesthood, the word of wisdom, baptism, the power of the gift of the holy ghost.  Too much to write  of all that I've learned.  I love stuidying the scriptures and Preach My Gospel.  I have gained a better understanding and perspective of God's plan of salvation! How everything we do and go through has the purpose of bringing is closer to Christ and eventually returning to live with Him after this life.  I love you all! 

My favorite quote for the week by Elder Maxwell: "The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we can give to God...it is the only possession which is truly ours to give."

Sister Richardson