Snail Letter Written 27 January 2009 Received 31 January 2009
Dear Family,
How is everyone doing? Things here are great (and interesting!). Yesterday, on our Preparation Day, Hermana [Hermana and Hna are Spanish for Sister] E____ and I woke at 5 am to clean up the apartment, get ready, wash clothes, do some shopping, and a tiny bit of email before we left for Dallas for Sister’s Conference. The Conference was at President and Sister Smith’s home in the Richardson area of Dallas.
We got a ride from Hermana B____ (the Relief Society [LDS Church’s organization for women] to Dallas. She took us to Moon’s – an LDS bookstore and then to the Mission Home. Hna E____ and I each bought a Dove chocolate bar for her and the sister who gave us a ride home as thank you treats.
We were the first sisters to arrive. Hermana M____ and V____ were also with us. We arrived about 20 minutes early so we helped by counting out 25 plates, cups, and silverware. It was so fun to see and met all of the sisters in the mission! Let me tell you, we had more fun than any Young Women’s or Relief Society activity I’ve been to!
We started by hearing a message from President Smith. He spoke about the significance that he has just realized from the son Sisters in Zion that we had sang as an opening hymn. He said that the errand of Angels is given to Women and went on to talk about faith, valiancy, charity, and purity in us as women. He spoke on Eve and her intelligence and valiancy. He said that men could learn from women as in the example of Eve.
He also made a comment that he had not planned on making or thought of saying. He told us never to compromise our values, ever. That Heavenly Father intends nothing less for us and that we will need to be very thoughtful and prayerful. He said that he did not know why he thought he should share this as we are at this time missionaries, but that he felt he needed to say it.
We then had a talk by Sister H____ who is the office missionary that Mom spoke to on the phone. She says she really enjoyed her conversation with you Mom. Later she said to me that each week she notices that I receive a letter from a J___ A___ C___. She thought, “I know a J__ A___ C__ and it isn’t a terribly common name.” So she asked if I knew her from Layton, UT. I told her “Yes! She is my Cousin!”
Well, Sister H____ knows Jeri Ann and served in Family History with Aunt L___ and Uncle G____. I plan to write J__ next Monday to pass along a hello from Sister H____. Maybe you could pass on a hello to Aunt L___ and Uncle G___ via email sometime.
Sister ____ spoke on the assigned topic from Hermana Smith on modesty and good appearance. It was very uplifting. We learned/remembered that it is very important to dress the right way and to remember whom we are representing. We need to be recognized for the message we carry, not as a fashion statement. By the way, thank you, for the layering tees! I like them very much! ♥
Sister Smith then spoke about things that bring us happiness and joy. There is joy like we get from other people but there is also joy from ourselves such as the joy we get from knowing the scriptures, the growth of a testimony, and the realization of surviving difficult times.
She spoke of the example of choosing how you feel – good or bad – from the Book of Mormon history of Nephi, Sam, Laman, and Lemuel [Lamuel and Lemuel are people in the Book of Mormon.] They all went through many of the same circumstances and reacted differently. She then counseled us to not compare ourselves to the other sisters we know. “You are not suppose to be her ...don’t do it ... Learn it now!” This is hard too when you become a mom. She said we are not to do it. She said that we could incorporate good qualities from others into our lives until we become better, but not to become a copy of another person.
She then said that she too had the thought to counsel us not to settle in our marriages. She said to “find who the Lords wants you to marry. Don’t be afraid to wait. Don’t settle.
We then watched the “Errand of Angels” movie together that a sister had been given as a Christmas gift.
When I heard that we were going to watch a movie I thought that I would feel like I was wasting valuable missionary time watching it and would be distracted from the work later.
But it turned out to be a great movie for Sisters Conference.
I just might ask to watch the Forgotten Carols movie that you sent next Christmas if I have the courage to ask President.
:-)
After the movie, we had dinner. Spinach Salad mix with olives, artichoke hearts, garbanzo beans, etc. with raspberry vinaigrette dressing, ham, steamed vegetables and baked potatoes. I loaded up with salad! I skipped the potato and took just one slice of ham. I miss salad! It was yummy! And it was nice to serve myself how much I want to eat. And not offend anyone because I don’t eat a lumberjack portion. :-) I think I’ve ate a billion tortillas, rice, beans and carne (meat)! WOW! They do love meat. I’ve been served two different kinds of meat at one meal. And y’all know that meat isn’t my favorite food.
Fortunately, now the meals are split up with the south sisters of GP with the south members and us with the north. I don’t have to eat at a sister’s home who wasn’t pleased with me because I couldn’t eat three tacos, rice, beans, and potatoes that she served my first night here. The other sisters don’t care as much although they always offer me more!
We then had a testimony meeting. It was wonderful! A few sisters afterwards said that they appreciated my testimony, which made me feel good because I don’t think sometimes that I’m the strongest or most knowledgeable spiritually. But, I do know that I have grown so much! I look back to my first day and can realize how much the savior has helped me grow and learn. I love doing missionary work! Although there are moments when the end seems very far away. It is in those moments that I look back and reflect on all of the things I have experienced and I can then move forward.
Another sister from another branch came and picked us up. Unfortunately, her van (as ancient as the Caravan was) broke down! It started rattling on the road back, so we took back roads home. We then got on a small stretch of freeway and when we got off at the off ramp, it ground to a halt. A very nice Hispanic Man pushed the van with his truck to the side of the road. Very adventurous b/c it was misting/rainy out and dark, but all were safe. Two police officers came (1 man, 1 woman) and the sister had her husband come pick her up and take care of things. She wouldn’t accept any money for a tow. But we did give her a chocolate bar. Sounds so puny for what she went through but she said she was doing it out of the kindness of her heart. What a kind heart she has!!!
Hermana Garcia (from the branch Relief Society presidency) came and picked us up while the sister, her husband, and the officers got things taken care of. We got home at 9, when we left at 7-ish.
Please don’t worry about this situation. I tell you this because during the whole time there was calmness and comfort that all would be okay. It’s amazing hoe all of the brothers and sisters help and care for one another, especially us sister missionaries. It’s amazing how things still work out when they “break down.”
This experience reminds me of when Mom, Katie, and I were in Utah County one day and a belt broke. Eric was able to some help us and the problem was fixed. I feel so badly for those I have met here who say, “I don’t know anything about my neighbors.” when we ask if any of them are Spanish speaking or think they would be interest4ed in hearing about Jesus Christ. Who do these people turn to for help? I guess maybe they don’t have anyone b/c they haven’t been good neighbors themselves. It’s an example that when we are doing the right things, like being good neighbors, we can’t pay the Lord back with our good works b/c we receive more blessings tight back.
I read about out debt to the Savior this week in Mosiah chapter 3 [Mosiah is a book in the Book of Mormon which we accept as scripture along with the Bible] . Even if there were a way that we could repay Him back for the Atonement, we could not b/c He gives is blessings when we follow the commandments.
I’m writing now, on a Tuesday because after 2 pm this afternoon we cannot drive the mission cars because of an incoming ice storm. We were able to attend District Mtg however in Oakcliff this morning.
Thanks so much for the speakers and mp3 player!!! It’s wonderful! I was able to buy the Spanish Hymns and the Emma Smith movie soundtrack yesterday and Hermana Escobar bought President Hinckley tribute CD (music) that we love. I plan to download them to the player soon.
I will try to print the pictures I took at Sister’s Conference next Monday and send them off. I think I’m going to take advantage of some extra study time and a nap now – especially since I’ve already written up a pretty good sized epistle!
Tell the incoming sister that she will want to invest in a real winter coat, gloves, and scarf, but also have some lighter things for the warmer weather. Some days I freeze and others I don't even want a light sweater. If she buys some leggings, (Walmart has cheap ones) she can either cut them off or fold them up to the hemline for the cold days and it works really well. And even though tights are not the most comfortable thing to wear, I have bought a couple of pairs and was glad to have them. Come this summer I will especially appreciate the Jody dresses I bought at Sister Missionary Mall. The weather here is bipolar! :-)
BTW, the Gordon B Hinckley CD is called “Man of Honor – Remembering GBH” if I remember correctly. It also had Brooke White on one of the songs. (She was on American Idol.) It’s not one of those substandard CDs, but is really good.
Well, enough writing is enough! Love you all very much!
Con mucho carino (with much love),
Hermana Richardson
PS Please make sure that Katie hears or reads the letters – Please! ♥
♥ Love You All!!! ♥
Heather
