June 13, 2016

Hola familia!! 

This week was really good! The work is really progressing in our area!  

We have four main investigators that we are working with! Jorge y Angel. They are 20 and 18 and both are coming to church and reading their scriptures and doing the things they need too. They are really awesome!! We also have Salvador! He is very interesting. The missionaries visited him 7 years ago and not once was he sober. Well we went and visited him and he still was not sober. But he came to the baptism last week..still drunk and then church the next day. I mean he doesn't remember being at church but hey! This week when we went to visit him he was sober!!! It was so amazing to see the progress that he is making after such a long time! Then we have Antonio. He is in his fifties and is really amazing but refuses to go to church!!! Well we planned an activity at the church to watch the restoration and he came!! Miracle!! It is so amazing to see the Lord working in the lives of the people here!!  

We have been working a lot with our new investigator and he received the sacerdocio or priesthood on Sunday! He comes proselyting with us and he has such a strong testimony!!  

We also had intercambios(exchanges) this week with our zone and I didn't get lost! That in and of itself is a miracle ladies and gentlemen. But it gave me the confidence that IN about a week I can take care of my area!!  

Anyways, I love you all and I hope you have a great week! I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants the best for us. I know this gospel is true! 

love you all! 

Love, 

Hermana Rich

Hermana Rich and Aquino on exchanges!

Hermana Rich & Davila preparing for Class

Hermana Rich

 

June 6, 2016

 

Hi family! 

This week we were able to work a little bit more so that is exciting. We also had our baptism!! Marcelo was sooo excited and happy! It is so fun and amazing to see the Lord's hand in the work we are doing here. We really didn't teach him anything he was prepared to receive the gospel from the beginning.   

We didn't get to work all week but when we did we worked hard and as a result we have 4 new investigators and had three investigators in the church on Sunday! I know that what Elder Holland said in his talk about how we get credit for trying really is true. This week is an example of that! 

I was reading in Helaman this week, I finally finished Alma in the Book of Mormon and verses 18-19 really struck me. The Nephites weren't paying attention and doing what they were supposed to and as a result they didn't see the Lamanite army coming. It is the same with us. If we aren't watching out and doing the things we are supposed to like reading our scriptures and praying that is when Satan is going to sneak up and attack us. Life isn't easy and Heavenly Father gave us these tools to help make it easier, but we have to use them. 

I know that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us and is aware of what we are going through. I know that the Book of Mormon is evidence of that love and we can feel his love when we read it. I know that families can be eternal all depending on how we use this time on

Earth. I love you all and pray for you everyday! Have a great week! 

Love, 

Hermana Rich

Stay warm Hermana Rich!

Marcelo's Baptism!!!!

Snack Time!

 

 

 

May 30th, 2016

Hola Familia!! 

 

This week has been interesting to say the least! Between my sinus infection and my companion being sick we didn't work. So a lot of down time! But I did get to go on some splits with some members! It was way fun!  

 

Our investigator, Marcelo, is now a member of the ward choir! He is so awesome and his baptism is this Saturday!! We taught him the plan of salvation this week and he didn't know that we lived with Heavenly Father before we came to this earth. He was sooo excited and so happy. It really makes me so happy to see others find joy in the gospel. It made me think about how much joy I receive from the gospel! 

 

This week I learned a very important lesson. This week our dear friend and comforter died, our water heater! Don't worry they got us a new one but it just is not the same. We have about two minutes of hot water and then nothing else. It is almost a game to see how much you can get done before the hot water is gone haha.

 

So this week I had one day where it was just really tough. I was super stressed out and I did not feel good at all. I was on the verge of tears and I just felt like I couldn't do it. So I said a prayer asking for help to be able to do what I needed to. As soon as I said my prayer I felt a little bit better and the words, Kenzie, Kenzie, Kenzie came into my mind. Just like Grandpa would do on the sidelines of my soccer games. 

 

I know the mission isn't always going to be easy and neither is life. But we have someone watching over us at all times who loves us and wants the best for us. All we have to do is ask for his help and he will do it! I know that Heavenly Father is aware of every single one of us and what we need. I know the Jesus Christ can understand everything feeling we have and through him we can find comfort and forgiveness. I know the Book of Mormon is true and we can find strength and answers there as well. I love you all and this gospel. Have a great week and take a hot shower for me!! 

 

Love,

Hermana Rich

Just a little throw back with Hermana Mortensen

Hermana Rich trying to get over being sick!

Hermana Rich trying to stay warm during scripture study!

 

May 23rd, 2016

Hola familia! 

 

This week has been pretty interesting! It turns out that I have a sinus infection and my companion has parasites that are making her really sick. So we haven't worked in two days going on three. The humidity here is just killing me!! It is so cold that I sleep with four pairs of pants and shirts and it is still a little cold! But hey everything happens for  reason no? 

 

We were really worried that our investigator wasn't going to come to church this week because we weren't there and as a result his baptismal date was going to fall through. But he totally came! So we should have a baptism next week! 

 

Marcelo is seriously so great! We have these folletos, pamphlets, that we give to people when they have a baptismal date so that they can see what all they have to do before their baptism. Well earlier this week we taught him about the restoration and invited him to pray to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon was true. He told me already did it and he knew it was true! He saw that there was something he needed to do in his folleto and wants to be as prepared as he can be! Then he told us he grabbed a tithing slip to pay tithing this week and we haven't even taught that yet! He is progressing soo well! We are super excited! 

 

This week I was reading in Jacob and a scripture stood out to me. Like always in the Book of Mormon the Nephites are in war with the Lamanites. But in Jacob 7:25 it says, Wherefore the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation, wherefore they became as yet, conquerors against their enemies. I really liked this scripture because it talks about how they fortified themselves. Are we doing what we can to fortify ourselves against our enemies? Are we saying our prayers? Reading the scriptures? Following the promptings of the holy ghost to guide us? All of these things are tools that Heavenly Father has given us to help fortify us in this life. I hope you can take some time this week to think about how you can better fortify yourself! I hope you all have a great week! I love you all! 

Love, 

Hermana Rich

 

Hermanas Rich and Davila

Hermanas Rich and Davila

Hermanas Harpole, Bagle and Rich

Hermans Rich and Harpole - reunited!  YAY!

President and Sister Cook and Hermana Rich

 

May 16th, 2016

Hello my dear family!! 

 

This week has been very interesting! With changes and trying to learn my new area it has been a little crazy. But I have to say I have learned 3 big things this week:

 

1. I am in one of the biggest areas in the entire mission. My area used to be two areas but with Hermanas going home for health issues early Presidente Cook made it one. So with my knee we are planning on taking lots of busses! But with a bunch of area we have a lot of opportunity! 

 

2. I am white. Yes, I was already fully aware of that but let me tell you why. My area is alot more humble than my other area and because I am white no one wants to listen to me. I can say something that I know is gramatically correct and the people will act like they don't understand me. I can say something and ask a question related to the gospel and they respond with ç, where are you from? As soon as I say the United States they don't want anything to do with me. My companion and I are working on how to find ways to keep people interested haha. On the other hand my bishop asked me to start teaching english classes twice a week! I am a little nervous because it will be just me but I am a little excited too! This area hasn't had a gringo in a very, very long time!! 

 

3. This is also something else I already knew but Peñarol and Nacional is HUGE here. They played a game against each other yesterday and we could keep score because every time someone scored people would run outside and shoot off guns and be screaming and yelling. It was pretty interesting hahaha. Luckily, they tied so everyone didn't go completely crazy! Peñarol and Nacional are two major soccer teams here just an fyi haha. 

 

Also, 2 funny stories. So I have this cold right? It is pretty awful so after lunch in the house one day I laid down. Well after a little bit my companion woke me up to ask me where something was. So I told her it was in one of my suitcases in the front room. Well afterwards she just sat there looking at me so I told her again. Then she explained that I was talking in english and she couldn't understand me hahaha! Yeah, I have not reached that point in my mission yet where my first reaction is to speak in spanish, although I do dream in spanish sometimes! The other funny story is we had a Noche de hogar the other night with a less active family and at the end they asked me to say the prayer in english. I could barely do it!! It seriously took forever and they were all laughing by the end of it and tol me I could do it in spanish next time!

 

As far as investigators go we have one named Marcelo witha baptismal date! We had our second charla with him on Friday and he came to church on Sunday! He is really amazing and we are super excited! 

 

I know this gospel is true and that we have a Heavenly Father who knows and loves each one of us! I hope you all have a great week! 

Love, 

 

Hermana Rich

Hermanas Paul and Rich

Hermanas Paul and Rich enjoying a little dessert!

 

 

District Photos

 

 

May 10, 2016

Hello everyone!  Kim here.  You've probably noticed that I've been a little behind in updating the blog...sorry!  But it's up to date now and just to keep you all in the loop, our Mother's Day Skype Call was fantastic!  Mackenzie looked great and her Spanish was like WOW!  It looked like her and the voice sounded like her, but the words coming out were like a native Spanish speaker.  It was crazy!  She is still absolutely loving her mission and is growing and changing by leaps and bounds!  I am grateful for all she has learned so far in this last 5 months. And in case any of you are counting like I am, we are almost 1/3 of the way there!  We love you all and are so grateful for your love and support of Mackenzie!

Love,
Kim

Hey guys!! 

This week was pretty great! Let's be honest, every week in Uruguay is fantastic haha! But we had our Mother's day call, changes, miracles, and everything else in between! 

Let's start with the miracles. We found a new investigator this week! She is really awesome. We were walking home from the bus terminal and decided to go contact a reference before we went home! Well this reference gave us another reference and that is how we found Sara. Sara is an older woman and when we clapped at her door she immediately let us in! She said she had been going to an evangelical church and now she was going to listen to us!! It was really cool. Then we went back for our second lesson and she had a full blown tea party ready for us!! We weren't complaining..it is really cold here and who is going to deny a precious old lady with warm cake who wants to learn about the gospel? Haha anyways that was one of my favorite miracles of the week! 

Then our skype call was so great! It was amazing to sit and talk with everyone, even if it was 20 minutes later than expected. We had some technical difficulties but that is okay! It was really fun to see all of Laynie Bug's fun tricks! Plus seeing everyone just gave me more motivation to work harder!!  

Now as for changes!! Me voy! I am going to Maroñas, Toledo! I am going to be with a Valiente ( that means this is their last change in the mission!), Hermana Davila. Yes, the time has come for me to have a latina companion. Let's face it, it was long overdue. I actually had ALOT of mixed emotions. I love Florida and all of the amazing people here. I love my companion, my district, my zone, everything! I really didn't want to leave my oro area para nada. I was really nervous at first! I didn't think my Spanish was good enough to have a latina companion yet. I had just learned all of my area and didn't feel like I was ready to learn another one! But then Proverbs 2:5 and 6 came into my mind. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. This scripture brought me so much peace of mind.  I can't rely on my own knowledge. Heavenly Father knows so much better than I what I need and what the people of Uruguay need. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that I am meant to go to Maroñas with Hermana Davila now! I am excited to see what the Lord has prepared for me in my new area! I guess you could say I am a real missionary now!  

I know that we don't always get what we want in life but we just have to trust in Heavenly Father and HIS plan. I know that he hears and answers our prayers. I was actually thinking alot about prayer this week and how my prayers have changed and developed just in my mission and it made me think of Grandpa. When Grandma and Grandpa lived up the street from us we would have our Friday night sleepovers. Every night without fail Grandpa was there on his knees praying and I remember thinking..what is taking him so long!! I always had some random thought to tell him but I would always have to wait until he was done praying. Now I understand what took him so long! We can literally talk to our Heavenly Father about whatever we want! We can talk to him about what happened in our day, what we are going to do tomorrow, what we are feeling, literally anything. And the amazing part is he WANTS to hear about it. I know that we can always find answers in the Book of Mormon. I know that we have prophets on the Earth today to lead us and guide us! I love this gospel with all my heart and I am so grateful for the peace and comfort it brings to my life. I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week! Maroñas here I come! 

Love, 

Hermana Rich




Hermana Rich sporting the Hawaii shirt Kellie sent her



Hermana Rich & Familia Torena

Hermanas Rich & Paul and Familia Torena



Hermana Rich & Angelina



Hermana Rich & Juan



Hermana Rich & Familia Rodrigues

Hermana Rich & Familia Leal

Hermanas Rich & Paul and President & Sister Tabo

Hermana Rich eating her favorite milenesa!

May 2, 2016

Hola family and friends! 

This week was really good! We had our baptism on Saturday!! 

The baptism was seriously so smooth! Our bishop Presidente Tabo planned all of it! All we had to do was show up and do a musical number with the elders! The following day Franco was confirmed and received the sacerdocio (priesthood)! The really exciting part was that his parents were there for all of it!! It was really amazing. We had youth do all of the program! We also had our investigator Raquel there! She said she loved seeing all the youth there and she is going to try and bring her son! The Lord really is just preparing people for us every where we go! 

On that note we also found a new investigator this week! It was a reference that we contacted! Her name is Sara and she is an old woman. We clapped at her door and when we explained who we were she said invited us in and told us she wanted to hear about the message that we had! What? It was so fantastic and she is the sweetest old lady!  

We also had our entrevistas(interviews) with President cook this past week! He told me that pretty much all of the Hermanas this change are going to be switched up and to be prepared because I am most likely not staying in my area! I was sooo sad. I mean I know it is coming but I just love my area and the people so much. We are finally starting to see so much progress here and we work so well with the members. At church yesterday we had three menos activo families in the church and three investigators! And every single one of them were sitting with a member! Then to add on top of that every person who bore their testimony welcomed Franco into the ward and said something to his parents! But I know that where ever I get sent to next is where the Lord needs me!  

So this week I wanted to share a scripture in Mosiah 7:33! I really just love this scripture. But something that really stood out to me this morning as I was reading it is that the Lord will help us according to HIS will. The scriptures don't say that we will get what we want when we want it. In the Lord's time and in the Lord's way will get what we need. I have been thinking alot about how to align my will with the Lord´s because that is an obvious part of consegration ( I think that is what it is in English). But the law of consegration..or maybe it is consecration...? Anyways, that law doesn't just apply to missionaries we can be consecrated in any moment in our lives if we choose too! But like the scripture also says we have to serve him with all diligence of mind! I know that as we strive to align our will with the Lord's we will become better instruments in the Lord's hands. I have seen that so many times in my mission and I know I will be blessed to see more as I do my part! I love this gospel, I love my mission, and I love my savior! I hope you all have a fantastic week and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 

Love, 

Hermana Rich

Franco, his parents, Hermana Rich & Hermana Paul

Franco, the Young Men from the ward, Hermana Rich & Hermana Paul

Hermana Rich, Franco, Juaquin, Hermana Paul