Faith Like a Fire March 3

Hey everyone! Elder Richardson here, wanting to say that I hope you all had a wonderful week behind you, full of marvelous faith building experiences and great times of blessing and happiness. I know that at times, this life certainly isn't easy and may seem a bit like a down hill journey, but like all good rollercoasters, there needs to be some going down to appreciate the going up. Or something like that.

This was certainly one of the most interesting weeks that I have had in my mission. To say the least, the roller coaster analogy is very applicable, with up and down moments coming as fast as we can take them. But something that I learned and relearned time and time again this week was that through it all, our faith and sustain us, lift us, and help our spirits to soar!

As a bit of happy news, Luis and his daughter Katha were baptized! This rock of a man has started sprinting down the path of discipleship, and we can barely keep up with him. Every visit we have been blessed to have with him, his boulder solid faith has kept him persevering and changing his life, far beyond we could even imagine. He is truly someone prepared, guided, and aided by the Lord. He will, si o si, be a Bishop and Stake President and a Seventy one day. We have regular jokes now about how one day, he will be in General Conference sharing a story of two young missionaries in Yungay. His baptism was a simple affair, but was quite powerful and the members were very happy to participate. I love this work!

We have been blessed with so much to do here in Yungay, it's only natural to realize that there will be hardships as well. Those certainly came in full force this week, and while I won't go into detail, it certainly depressed me quite a few times. But as we went about the week, the Lord's hand guided us to situations and people that we never would have visited or known, and incredible experiences were had. We had a simple desire to serve the people, and miracles resulted.

Part of my studies in the Book of Mormon were about the Brother of Jared (See Ether 1-3 especially). This incredible bastion of faith led his people through revelation and prophetic power an incredibly long time ago, but his story applies to us so much in this day. The faith that this man had, to ask and know that it would be done, is so inspiring! If only we all could have that same fire in our hearts, the world would be changed and the Millenium would have started years ago. His inspiring example has led me to devote more of my heart and soul to this work, while trying to possess the same firm faith that this man did so long ago. I know that as we trust in the Lord will all the surety of our hearts, we will see the grandest miracles that the Lord can help us to see: The changing of the hearts of man.

I testify of this to you all. I know that the Savior lives and His hands are there to strengthen and to guide us to do the greatest good and have the greatest blessings. I hope that you all have such a wonderful week that it defies all expectations.

With love,

Elder Richardson