February 24, 2014

Buenos Tardes a todo de mis amigos en todo de las partes en Chile, Los Estados Unidos, y el mundo! Ustedes son los mejores amigos que una persona puede querer, y yo estoy agradecido cada día de mi vida a tener sus oraciones y su apoyo. ¡Muchísimo gracias!

Oh, how the time flies. It is very hard to believe that I am entering my fifth week here in the beautiful sector of Yungay. Every day brings new adventures, new experiences, and especially new challenges. This week was definitely one of the harder ones of my mission, but the purpose behind it and the things that can be improved are appearing clearer and clearer to mine eyes. It has been a grand time to learn and to grow in the work of the Lord, and I am humbled by the experiences that are helpíng to shape me and make me a better missionary and servant.

First of all, I am excited by the prospect of a baptism this next week. Hermano Luis is the husband of a less active, who has been cold and sometimes hostile to the missionaries for some time. Though the wife certainly appreciates us and the kids are all our buddies, the missionaries have just not had the ability to touch the stone cold heart of this man. That is, until a few weeks ago.
His wife called us on a Saturday night, inviting us to a Noche de Hogar. He firmly told us that he is ready to be baptized, and every consecutive visit has confirmed it more strongly. Thsi man is on fire, reading chapters in the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets every single night. He has accepted commitments straight away, difficult and easy, and has opened his home to us with open arms.
Something changed in the life of this stone cold man. He was prepared, just as there are so many others being prepared in every part of His vineyard.

Sometimes, I wonder how on Earth we can go about to do this grand work. But then, I remember, that this isn't our work, but His. He will provide the means, if we but provide the labor. That is His promise, repeated time and time again in the scriptures. This week I saw that, as a small activity exploded into activity with the arrival of a dozen members, all prompted to come by the Spirit. I saw that in bursts of revelation and inspiration for the calling in the last minute that really blessed certain individuals. 

I was also reminded of the necessity to be active for all of our lives. We met a family this week, who between the three inactive members, was a former branch president, a former member in a stake presidency, a former relief society president, a former activities director, and a current relief society presidency member. The good that this one family could do in this little branch is unbelievable, and the blessings that they could be bestowing in the lives of others and receiving in turn blows me away. Several small things are all that keeps this family from changing the face of our little branch, and makes me a little sad. Agency is a tricky thing, changing lives for the better (Like Luis) and for other ways (Like this little family). I have sworn to make sure that I am always making the decisions in my life that will lead to the Savior.

I love you all, and want to bear my testimony that this grand work is in the hands of the Lord. He will provide the way, will make our pathway smooth, and will strengthen our hands. It takes our faith and our works to bring down the blessings of heaven on our lives. Let us go forth and reap while the field is still white.

With love,
Elder Richardson