HOLA!
Okay, so this week I was only in Barbosa for a total of 3 days! We had District meeting in Tunja, then intercambios in Tunja, then interviews with President Andelin, then Stake Conference in Duitama and Sogamoso. So, I have officially been in every area in my Zone, which is 4 different cities! They are Barbosa, Tunja, Duitama, and Sogamoso. But, its all super beautiful here in Colombia. Well, Boyaca is SO much more beautiful than Bogotá. I would say that by now I am a pro in traveling haha. Oh and I have been told that I have to take "THE BOMB" to clean me out. I've had malestar de estomago (like bad in the stomach) this week and after the Conference on Sunday in Sogamoso, Sister Andelin came up to me and told me that a member told her that they were worried about my health. So, Sister Andelin started asking questions and we have determined that I still have parasites in my stomach. Yes mom, I have been taking the papaya pills but these nasty suckers wont leave me alone. So I'm going with the bomb which is two days of pills and hopefully that will flush them out! This will probably be my last week in Barbosa since it is week 6 of the transfer so hopefully you enjoy my last Barboseño email :)
Even though we didn't have many lessons this week, I still loved this week because of all of the things that I learned with all of the meetings that we had. During our District meeting, we had a capacitación (lesson?) by Elder Bringhurst about really what is a successful missionary. It was SUPER AWESOME! There were a few points that he talked about that I had never thought about before and I had to really self evaluate what I thought a successful missionary is. I've read about it a lot in PMG (Preach My Gospel) but what I still felt about being successful was still totally different. Because really, the only thing that determines a missionary as successful is if they are really serving with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. And as my family knows, lately I have been getting down on myself for a lot of tiny things that I shouldn't be worrying about. So, this meeting really helped me. Then, the interview with President Andelin was AWESOME! I love him and Sister Andelin so much! And I'm so sad that they are leaving, but they still have a month left so I won't get too sad yet, haha. But President Andelin talked to me and about how this is my 4th transfer in Barbosa. Then, he thanked me because he hasn't had to worry about Barbosa since I've been there because he knows that he can trust me. I was shocked when he said that. I mean, I'm not a perfect missionary and I have been so hard on myself that I had convinced myself that I was a mediocre missionary. BAD THOUGHTS! But it happened. When President told me about the trust that he has in me, it made me think about why he would have so much trust in someone that wasn't a perfect and exactly obedient missionary. But, I then thought about the Atonement and about how no one is perfect. The thing that matters the most is how much you try to change and the progression you have. And I thought about it and I really have had a ton of progress spiritually and temporally. I also realized that I have been judging myself WAY too hard and that the Lord really is proud of me and the progression I'm having. I know I'm not perfect, but I truly am trying and that is really what matters. So, that was another super awesome lesson that I learned this week! THE MISSION IS AWESOME! They're are so many valuable lessons that I'm learning that I know I would never learn at this point in my life if I was at home. I had some more great lessons but I don't have too much time. I just want to close by saying that I know that this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith restored the church and the priesthood authority of God to the earth for this last dispensation. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love it. When we have sincere desires to know the truth and ask God in a simple prayer, He will answer. He loves us and He wants us to have the blessings and happiness that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring. I love you all and thank you for all of your love and support!
Elder Richmond
Okay, so this week I was only in Barbosa for a total of 3 days! We had District meeting in Tunja, then intercambios in Tunja, then interviews with President Andelin, then Stake Conference in Duitama and Sogamoso. So, I have officially been in every area in my Zone, which is 4 different cities! They are Barbosa, Tunja, Duitama, and Sogamoso. But, its all super beautiful here in Colombia. Well, Boyaca is SO much more beautiful than Bogotá. I would say that by now I am a pro in traveling haha. Oh and I have been told that I have to take "THE BOMB" to clean me out. I've had malestar de estomago (like bad in the stomach) this week and after the Conference on Sunday in Sogamoso, Sister Andelin came up to me and told me that a member told her that they were worried about my health. So, Sister Andelin started asking questions and we have determined that I still have parasites in my stomach. Yes mom, I have been taking the papaya pills but these nasty suckers wont leave me alone. So I'm going with the bomb which is two days of pills and hopefully that will flush them out! This will probably be my last week in Barbosa since it is week 6 of the transfer so hopefully you enjoy my last Barboseño email :)
Even though we didn't have many lessons this week, I still loved this week because of all of the things that I learned with all of the meetings that we had. During our District meeting, we had a capacitación (lesson?) by Elder Bringhurst about really what is a successful missionary. It was SUPER AWESOME! There were a few points that he talked about that I had never thought about before and I had to really self evaluate what I thought a successful missionary is. I've read about it a lot in PMG (Preach My Gospel) but what I still felt about being successful was still totally different. Because really, the only thing that determines a missionary as successful is if they are really serving with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. And as my family knows, lately I have been getting down on myself for a lot of tiny things that I shouldn't be worrying about. So, this meeting really helped me. Then, the interview with President Andelin was AWESOME! I love him and Sister Andelin so much! And I'm so sad that they are leaving, but they still have a month left so I won't get too sad yet, haha. But President Andelin talked to me and about how this is my 4th transfer in Barbosa. Then, he thanked me because he hasn't had to worry about Barbosa since I've been there because he knows that he can trust me. I was shocked when he said that. I mean, I'm not a perfect missionary and I have been so hard on myself that I had convinced myself that I was a mediocre missionary. BAD THOUGHTS! But it happened. When President told me about the trust that he has in me, it made me think about why he would have so much trust in someone that wasn't a perfect and exactly obedient missionary. But, I then thought about the Atonement and about how no one is perfect. The thing that matters the most is how much you try to change and the progression you have. And I thought about it and I really have had a ton of progress spiritually and temporally. I also realized that I have been judging myself WAY too hard and that the Lord really is proud of me and the progression I'm having. I know I'm not perfect, but I truly am trying and that is really what matters. So, that was another super awesome lesson that I learned this week! THE MISSION IS AWESOME! They're are so many valuable lessons that I'm learning that I know I would never learn at this point in my life if I was at home. I had some more great lessons but I don't have too much time. I just want to close by saying that I know that this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith restored the church and the priesthood authority of God to the earth for this last dispensation. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love it. When we have sincere desires to know the truth and ask God in a simple prayer, He will answer. He loves us and He wants us to have the blessings and happiness that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring. I love you all and thank you for all of your love and support!
Elder Richmond
This fruit is called Guanabana and is SUPER RICO!
I felt like I was cutting open an alien because of the texture it has which is a firm skin, but squishy inside haha Its filled with white pod things with a black seed inside each one.
Eating pizza cones when we stayed in Duitama Saturday night with Elder Reinel y Elder Llanos (from my group)
In Sogamoso after Conference on Sunday. The bus in the back is ours from Barbosa. Only about 2 and a half hours from Sogamoso to Barbosa...not too bad.
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