Sister Richards takes Taiwan: Week 49: Birthday Week Blessings (July 9, 2017)

hello hello da jia,

This week was so awesome and I just don't even know where to start ahhhh. (also start mentally preparing yourselves because I'm telling you now that I have a million pictures to share. ha)

First off all, comin' to you live as a fresh new 20 YEAR OLD. Officially count as an adult now here in Taiwan. hah Good things are happening people. I had the best birthday doing the best work in the world! It was a simple day. My companion woke me up by sticking a piece of toast with nutella on me and saying "There is a lot I could say right now, but long story short, without you I'd be toast," and then walked away. hahah perfect start to year 20.

This whole week was just a blast. Full of so many miracles and such fun times!

Fourth of July was a full American day with zone conference- being surrounded by Americans, eating subway for lunch, dressing up in red, white, and blue, and ending our day with the best burgers around. 'Merica. I love love LOVED zone conference this past week! I love seeing the Jergensen's so much and being trained by them. One thing that I loved that they have been emphasizing lately, is more direct, simple, short, powerful lessons. At our zone conference, we practiced doing one minute power lessons of teaching one principle from PMG, testifying, promising blessings, and inviting. It was AMAZING how strong the spirit was during these simple lessons, and how QUICKLY we were able to invite the Spirit! And it worked for anything and everything- from the Joseph Smith story, to dispensations and apostasy, to the Law of Chastity. It was amazing. I have loved applying this principle this past week in contacts, lessons, visits, etc. Because really, people are busy. They don't have a lot of time, and frankly neither do we! But by teaching simply and powerfully, the Spirit can do all of the real teaching, and it is WAY more effective. Plus, we are finding that by doing this, our lessons are able to become shorter, more full of the Spirit, and we can actually find time to get in all of our studies in a day! Or, at least closer to getting them all in. hah

Lately, we have been drowning in FAMILIES and we could not be happier! We are teaching FIVE families right now. FIVE. some are just kids (LA's kids), some are mom and son, and some are whole families! And, it is just the best. Man, I LOVE TEACHING FAMILIES! 1- they are adorable 2- they keep you on your toes and creative because you have to find ways to teach so everyone is involved and learning and loving it 3- great great numbers and are able to hit key indicators 4- THE GOSPEL IS CENTERED ON FAMILIES! It is amazing. Sister Birch and I have really been so blessed and just love the work! We saw some incredible miracles this week as some people came back into the picture that had disappeared a bit, parents gave permission to teach and baptize their children, families expressed their desire for change and that the gospel can help them get there, more people accepted baptismal dates, investigator families came to our big FHE activity, and our investigators progressed towards baptism! So blessed. I love missionary work. We should have a mom and her son getting baptized on the 22nd of July, so we are really looking forward to that!

Honestly, I am sitting here grinning ear to ear just looking back on this past week. It was a lot of hard work, everyday is. But the hard work pays off. Missionary work is this fun roller coaster of ups and downs. I shared many of the ups, but there are tough times too. Getting stood up, investigators disappearing, people promising to come to church and then not, getting rejected over and over, and if I really wanted to I'm sure I could think of more. hah BUT all these small little "hard" moments are so swallowed up in the joy of sharing the sweet message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to echo the words of Alma in Alma 26. I don't glory in myself, but in I glory in my God. I truly know that all things are possible through Him.

I could honestly go on forever, but I'll share the rest of the words I could share through pictures with you all this week. I just want you all to know how happy I am. TRULY happy. This happiness doesn't come from everything going perfectly all the time... definitely not. But it comes from serving, and loving, and representing my Savior. I think doing the Father's work would make Christ really happy too. So how else could we feel??

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! Choose to see the good in everyday!

xoxo

Sister Richards

李姐妹

Lǐ Jǐemeì

Sister Micah Richards

Taiwan Taipei Mission

4/F, #24, Lane 183

Jin Hua Street

Taipei, Taiwan 106

1- Happy fourth!

2- the only real way to celebrate 4th of july..