RICH MISSION MEMORIES: SISTER REBECCA RICHARDSON MISSION JOURNAL #8 -- Sept 14-20, 2019

Sept 14-20, 2019:

Sat: I rode on the white scooter, with my dad riding the blue scooter this morning, to my appointment with Dr.Bonner. I did pretty well if you say so myself; I rode behind my dad. When I got there, I put the lock that we bought from Walmart last night, on the scooter. After I was done, my dad brought his car because he had to bring the blue scooter to the shop. After all, it had to be fixed and I drove the other scooter back home. Before I turned left on crossover, I double-checked to see if the road was cleared to go. I went to the middle, looked one more time and before I went to the second lane, a car zoomed past me; I was like where did this car come from. Guys, I almost crashed, but it was a miracle I didn't get hit. It was scary, but I just kept driving back home and I arrived home safely.

Sun: Taught nursery today. The lesson was about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love all of us. Both of them truly know each one of us and what our circumstances are. My sister Rachel, gave her farewell talk in sacrament. She did awesome!! I loved her talk!! I loved how she expressed her words in her talk. After church, I went with my mom to the Institute, for an interview with President Gaulden. While I was there and since there was a potluck, I went for the food plus I was hungry. We then went home. At 2:30 pm, the Nothum's picked me up in their sweet looking truck; that sat high above the ground. We headed to pick up Elder Witt in Monett, MO, and helped him get his Scooter/ Moped up onto the truck, to take it tomorrow to the shop. Next, we headed to their place that's in Willard, MO(Missouri). We safely arrived at their house. Their house is so nice and they have this barn; inside the barn, there is a kitchen, tables, a big-screen TV, etc. Upstairs they have a game room, that has ping pong, a pole, air hockey, and a Foosball table. The barn is huge; it's like you can have a wedding there or a party. They also had horses that you can ride. For dinner, we had pizza and Honey Roasted peanuts. We also had pineapples, beef, shrimp, chicken, bell peppers that were on the sticks. I don't know what you call those? Had dinner in the barn, which was fun. What's amazing and crazy is he built this barn!! Later in the evening, we cooked up some frozen cookie dough, so they could turn into cookies. We then delivered the three plates, full of cookies, to three people he knows. So that was super fun!!!!

Mon: Brother Nothum showed us where he worked. He owns a company called Nothum and they do food processing systems. He pointed to us what the machines were and how they worked. It's just so cool to see people there that were doing different tasks. I loved seeing his place and learning about his company. While Brother Nothum was doing something there, Elder Witt and I helped sister Nothum stock up some snacks /drinks in the vending machine, since she had the keys to open it and most of the things were gone. Sister Nothum, even let us both, pick two things out of the Vending machine for helping her. We then headed to the wonders of wildlife national museum/ aquarium in Willard, MO to meet Austin (the guy that is interested and wanting to learn more about being a service missionary/ what they do.) That place was so humongous!! There were so many things there that you can see!! There was a section in there, where you can color in whatever color you want the jellyfish to be or the seahorse or the turtle or shark. Then, you would bring the paper to the lady and the lady would put your color page on the big screen, with the other color pages that other people did. So, I did a Jellyfish and I gotta see it on the screen. It was so cool and amazing!!!

After we did all that, we ate lunch at a restaurant called Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe in the Museum. Also, two proselytizing elders came with us to the zoo and lunch. At lunch, there was a Buffet. That Buffet was soooo amazingly good and fantastic!!!!! Then, brother Nothum took us to get each of us (Elder Witt, Austin, and I) a shirt/ cap that has his company name on it. The next thing we did, the Nothum's took us to turkey creek, to swim in their pond. In their pond, they had two inflatables. They also had other things: a paddle-boat, and 2 flat-water paddle boards. I learned how to do the paddle boards and caught on pretty quickly. I thought it would be hard to do, but It was so easy!! The key is to have a good balance. I climbed and went down the big inflatable. I did the iceberg inflatable. That iceberg one was the hardest one to get up. It took me a couple of tries to finally get up there. When I got up there, I was so proud of myself because I just kept trying and didn't give up; I mean, I could have given up because my arms were getting tired, but I kept going and was putting all the strength in myself.

The analogy here is through life we will struggle with certain things, but if you just keep trying and have the patience, to make it through, to whatever thing you are struggling with. Then eventually, you will reach the top and rejoice in yourself. This land they own is 180 acres. They have a place where people can stay. They have a four-wheeler and they have a golf cart/ not really a golf cart, but looks like one. Brother Nothum drove us around on the golf cart; touring or showing their 180-acre land. That is just so crazy and amazing how big their land is. We decided we were getting tired, so we all went back to their place, to grill hot dogs and hamburgers to have for dinner. Since it was dark, we eat inside. We met Kindle, who was also interested in being a service missionary. Before dinner we had our meeting: we went through our service missionary handbook, we talked through. trying to see and find who is willing or would like to do a service mission or is interested in one in our stakes. After dinner, brother Nothum drove Austin home and the other guy drove himself home. I had an awesome day!!!!! I had such a blast!!! Tired out now, goodnight.

Tues: The Nothum's, Elder Witt, and I headed over to the diaper bank of the Ozarks in Springfield, MO to do service. There we met Austin, the other proselytizing elders, and sisters. Each of us was in different groups and given different tasks to do. For instance, I took the diapers out of their boxes, put rubber bands around the 25 diapers. I set up tables, etc. I did so many things; they sincerely worked us hard there, but it was good for us. I think this is such a cool non-profit organization. By willing to do service there, we are helping and supporting the mothers out there that can't afford diapers and other things. Then, us missionaries and Austin went to a Chinese buffet Restaurant. That place was the bomb; I had Jozi, wontons, rice pudding. It was the best tasty restaurant. The next thing we did, is the Nothum's took Austin and Elder Witt back to their houses. The Nothum's drove me back to Fayetteville, AR. Got home around 4:00 pm.

Wed: Rachel dropped me off at the sister missionaries’ apartment. We then headed off to district council. It was amazing!! Loved it!! Since transfers (going to a different place) are coming up for the missionaries, each of us guessed who was staying and leaving. We had lunch there at the Institute. Headed to the farm, to work. The task all of us missionaries did, is picking peppers. Came home and read through the materials for the pathways program. I was supposed to start pathways on Monday, but I couldn't since I was gone. For each gathering, each student gets the opportunity to lead the discussion, on what our lesson was about that week.

Thurs: Rachel and I went to the library, to meet the other missionaries, to help do things there. For lunch bishop Palmer, from our Ward, two elders, two sisters, Rachel, myself, and another guy that worked at the library, walked to a pizza buffet Restaurant. While we were there, bishop Palmer challenged the two Elders to how many pizzas they can eat; not including eating the crust. So, they were up for the challenge because you know how boys are; they love challenging each other, the one elder ate 30 pieces of pizza and the other elder ate 32 pieces of pizza. When they were through, there was a pile of pizza crust. I was like, how can they eat that many pizzas. Let me tell you guys, they did not feel well after that. So, if you ever do a contest like that, think carefully; do you actually want to do it and get sick; I mean for me I wouldn't do it because I know what the outcome will be. Rachel and I went home and I did my school.