Mercedes, Texas - 8/13/2018

Hello my beautiful friends and family!!!

Where do I even begin? I'm am now in Mercedes, Texas with my awesome new companion Sister Chavez. She and I are having a blast. We've already got two awesome people we are teaching and we've only been here a week! Chloe is 12 and her older sister got baptized a few months ago. She wants to be baptized really bad and is so excited to learn about everything. We're also teaching a few other cool people.

Mercedes is such a cute little place! It's a really small town and the people are very nice. I'm sorry I don't have a whole lot of pictures this week. We've been super busy and I haven't even thought about it. 

The picture might look like snow but it's actually cotton! There's cotton fields everywhere here and so there's cotton on the side of the road and on everything! It's soft and fluffy. 

Also don't forget that God loves you a ton. Don't forget to be happy and find joy in the little things around us. We are here to find joy! " Life is full of ups, downs, and everything in between. No matter your circumstance, you can always choose to find happiness in ordinary things. Boyd K. Packer (see photo) wasn’t the first to offer this simple advice. Check out these 10 quotes on the power of optimism if you are looking for another pick-me-up. " (mormonchannel.org)

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-Hermana Lara Richardson

10 Quotes on the Power of Optimism

Need a boost? These 10 quotes from inspired Church leaders are the perfect pick-me-up.

1. “If I have learned anything in life, it is that we are to keep moving, keep trying—as long as we breathe! If we do, we will be surprised at how much more can still be done.” —Spencer W. Kimball

2. “Real hope is much more than wishful musing. It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.” —Neal A. Maxwell

3. “Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome.” —Thomas S. Monson

4. “Let us remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions!” —Jeffrey R. Holland

5. “You can wake up every day looking forward to new adventures with hope smiling brightly before you because you have a Savior.” —Julie B. Beck

6. “Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you.” —Gordon B. Hinckley

7. “We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.” —Thomas S. Monson

8. “The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.” —Joseph B. Wirthlin

9. “Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers.” —Jeffrey R. Holland

10. “Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” —Thomas S. Monson

https://www.mormonchannel.org/blog/post/10-quotes-on-the-power-of-optimism