Also, let me tell you about my Birthday and Christmas!
It was great! I absolutely loved the opportunity to focus entirely outwards during that time! Due to mailing and the like, I didn't open any presents for my Birthday. Not that I had time for that, anyways. My companion, Elder Moulton, and I were running around all day, trying to encourage other Missionaries, having lessons, and making a call or two to family, and everything in between! Our afternoon was filled with Cookie Baking in order to go caroling! I absolutely loved it.
By contrast, on Christmas we were invited into several homes of the Members of our ward. We were stuffed full, and then filled again, and then we were given a big bowl of soup at the very end! I was pretty sick of getting fed by the end. And so, the lesson here is that it is better to give then to receive. Because receiving too much means that you will weigh yourself on the scale that night and find yourself 10-15 pounds heavier than you saw yourself when you woke up that morning!
We had a Zone activity (here in the new Zone), and we had the most anti-climactic Marshmallow war! Because we are all nerds, we prepared for this war by writing fake scriptures, and trying to make the story sound like someone specific was going to win. It was fun! But the marshmallow shooters we pretty ineffective, so we just ended up pelting each other with Marshmallows instead. 🤷♂️
We have really loved trying to love and serve others here! My time to serve the Lord with all of my Heart, might, mind, and strength is disappearing rapidly, it seems. But I find true Joy in waking up each morning to seek to do His will. I love this scripture that I think captures a lot of my feelings from the past couple months.
Alma 29:9-10
"9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
I feel the greatest joy is seeing lies change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and remembering "what the Lord has done for me." I hope that you all have the opportunity to pray and ask the Lord what he would have you do. And then, listen! Listen to the thoughts and feelings that the Spirit brings to your heart, and then act on it!
I love you all, and I hope to hear from some of you soon! I haven't heard from some people on this email list since March of 2018! I hope you are still alive. And if not, tell me about it! These days, I can almost assure you that I will send an email back!
I love you!
Elder Ben Richardson
P.S. There's my goof of a companion! Isn't he great?
