Monday, January 9, 2012

The Mission of Zion

Hey Family!

Things here are going well. I'm recovering from being sick and possibly having the flu. Yesterday after sacrament meeting we got back to the apartment and I took a 7 hour nap! My companion made me soup and a grilled cheese sandwich! (Yeah for E. McElhaney!...He's the man!)

I spent a good amount of time searching our records looking for people that would hear our message. I hope our efforts (even though I was sick) will make a positive impact. This reminds me of a woman we went to see. We did not know her; her husband passed away about 2 years ago and we gave her a "Plan of Salvation" pamphlet. Tears filled her eyes as she rememberd the past. I hope we have a chance to see her again and that she finds peace.

Ready for a 25-mile bike day!

So I've been recording all my thoughts lately, instead of in my journal. I don't seem to have the time to do all the things I need to do in the evening. I'm hoping to write it all up when I return home.


Sorry, I don't have much to write in this email, in answer to your Q's. We've had a couple of mission conferences. On a slow day in our area we average about 25 miles per day (on our bikes) and I'll let you know how many miles we get on a busy day.

Our teaching pool is minimal. We're still having to work a ton to get a larger amount of people to teach. Right now it's really tough because we've been a while without a lot of people.

Group in Franklin, VA - E. Richards far right!
(E. Richards forget to tell how he was able to go back to Franklin, VA last week to attend the baptism of one of his earlier investigators "Miss Nan".) His former companion, Elder Carter (3rd from right) and he were the ones who initially taught her. He was excited to visit with everyone from his branch in Wakefield and see how everyone is doing there. PAYDAY!

Hopefully this week we'll find some more people to teach and that I'll get some more energy back in my body. I've been feeling really down physically because of this cold.

I hope everyone is doing well and that I can get those answers from everybody SOON about how my mission has affected your lives.

I love you all and I think about y'all all the time. Enjoy your week!

Elder Richards

Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints


HUGE Cardinal...they sure feed the birds a lot in Virginia!