Hey Mom! Thanks for the email and testimony. Things are going well here. We're setting about 4 people for baptism and our branch is going well. I'm teaching the young priests - mission prep and we're teaching them how to plan - while also refining our own skills.
Tell the ward members I'm very grateful for their letters and a big 'thank you' from me! It's good to read those letters every now and then.
My new companion is Elder Carter. He is 6 ft. 4 in. and just towers over me. He's nice, very organized, clean and snores at night! Ha! Ha! He teaches me a lot and occasionally jokes around; but still keeps our duty in mind. Our district is good!
How are the challenges going that I sent you? I hope everything is going well and that you're seeing blessings from service.
How are the girls and everyone else? I hope they're doing well. Amy's letter just made me so glad that she's in the church and active. I hope and pray that y'all are getting missionary experiences and spiritual opportunities.
I've been having to learn to deal with my companion's changes and helping him cope with the area; but it's going well - but really stressful. Other than that it's all good, no worries. The food is good and the insoles are comfy! Thanks for the stories and the goodies.
Some missionaries in this mission have abused the privilege of using mp3 players with the internet so we're all sending any internet capable devices home - so if your ok with sending me some classical music by CD that would be great - also some piano music and any efy music and Mormon Tabernacle Choir would be great!
Thanks again for the quotes, scriptures and hymns that you send...
Love you!
your son Elder Richards
Hey Dad - Thanks for the email. The weather is ok. We were teaching some potential investigators at their home in Surry (just north east of Wakefield). They are pentecostal and the wierd thing is that she started speaking in tongues! When the storm hit we were still at their home teaching them so they shared an evening meal of spaghetti with us. It was good but not as good as yours.
The drive home was awesome! The windshield wipers going as fast as they could - still couldn't keep the water off of the windshield. Crazy!!! We're teaching 4 people the gospel and we're going to be setting them for baptism...so that's good! I hope they accept our invitation. My companion Elder Carter is from Pleasant Grove, Utah and has served most of his mission in the projects of the cities of Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News. This is his first real time to be in a car for over a year.
He's nice, teaching me to be organized and gives lots of suggestions. Sometimes I get stressed by him but I love his attitude and work....so I'm doing fine.
We all have interviews with Pres. Perry this Saturday. Elder Carter gave me some really good advice for study and it's going well. I try to think to myself that I came out here to change and refine my character and gospel understanding. I feel that I'm going to be enlightened well from now on. In my journal with my scriptures and ensign I will add a little J-1, pg. 2 (J=journal and then the number, and the page in that journal) on the side of verses or articles in the ensign and refer those references to my journal and then write my thoughts and add the references in my journal. That's my new way of study and it's been going well.
I hope everything is going well and that you enjoy the extra sleep. I keep praying for ya and for the family so keep me posted on how things are going. I'm not sure if the girls are going to write me while I'm out on my mission, so if you could keep me posted of how they're doing.
I love you dad and I'm glad that you write me. It really cheers me up hearing from you and mom and knowing how things are going.
I hope work is going well and life is doing good.
Your favorite son, Elder Richards
D&C 101:16
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mom and Dad!
Things here are going well. Elder Carter and I are doing great. I'm not the senior companion. But I have to show him the area so that he can advise me on things to do differently; so I'm still a companion to a district leader - and it's fun!
The members in the branch have been awesome! Some bore strong testimonies on Sunday that were just amazing. Also, my companion and I taught Elder's Quorum on the fly. It was really fun!
We're now going to be teaching Gospel Essentials for the next few weeks. One of the coolest things is that 2 young men here who are preparing to serve missions came up to us with a ward roster in their hand and asked me what it was for. I said, "I don't know, what are y'all going to use it for?" Then they asked me what the Aaronic Priesthood duties are - without looking in the Doctrine and Covenants. I said they were to 'fellowship and to uplift the members.' They said that that's what they were going to do with the roster; they are going to go and visit all the less actives on the list, teach, testify, fellowship and uplift. Then they will report back to us and we'll see how things are going; then we can have them do more things with us. So our young men are doing a stellar job! They're both excited to do missionary work and we're stoked to get them involved more.
It sounds from the letters that Dad's beginning to be an old geezer! Haha whateva! Your not old. I hear the 50's are the new 30's, LOL. My companion Elder Carter and I are trying to fall asleep really fast (mainly me because he snores ALOT) lol. He said to lay in a way that's super comfy and then try to put parts of your body asleep and then think of "I'm suppose to go to sleep, it's night time and I'm going to sleep." He can literally fall asleep in about 1 minute. THAT'S CRAZY!
Anyway, I hope y'all don't wear yourselves out. I hope things are going well and that you've enjoyed my letters!
The humidity here is crazy; cold one day and really hot and sweaty the next!
Hopefully, we will get to do more service soon. It's really fun to put myself to work out in a field, although not too hard. Because my ankles are giving me a hard time, I'm elevating them as much as I can and soaking them in epsom salt and then I apply icy hot at night. They still hurt every now and then; but it's all good. I'm also realizing that if I want to feel less tired I should work out more in the morning, to improve my stamina and lower stress and such.
The people that we're teaching are mostly african american. They love the gospel but don't know where to find happiness; saying they don't need another bible; but it's going well. We're teaching a family that is a referral and they were really nice about hearing about the restoration. I hope their desire grows.
Today I shared the letter that Laura wrote me for Christmas with my companion Elder Carter. It was so EPIC. I really couldn't finish it without crying. I really hope she understands the gospel and how it can help her in her life. I don't get many letters from the girls. However, I did get a hand written one from Amy and I was super stoked to find out that she still goes to church and listens to the lessons at church. It still really brings me to tears when I read all the letters from Christmas. All of those letters from y'all really made this last Christmas the best in my life. The girls still have testimonies and I know where they can find them. Something universal that has helped me is to open up the topical guide and look up the topic on how you are feeling. So I did that and my day really got much better. Another topic to look up is "problem solving" also in the topical guide and use that as a ladder to solve any issues y'all might be having.
I pray for y'all every day and hope all is well.
I love ALL OF YOU!
Remember Remember......
with all my love
Elder Richards
Things here are going well. Elder Carter and I are doing great. I'm not the senior companion. But I have to show him the area so that he can advise me on things to do differently; so I'm still a companion to a district leader - and it's fun!
The members in the branch have been awesome! Some bore strong testimonies on Sunday that were just amazing. Also, my companion and I taught Elder's Quorum on the fly. It was really fun!
We're now going to be teaching Gospel Essentials for the next few weeks. One of the coolest things is that 2 young men here who are preparing to serve missions came up to us with a ward roster in their hand and asked me what it was for. I said, "I don't know, what are y'all going to use it for?" Then they asked me what the Aaronic Priesthood duties are - without looking in the Doctrine and Covenants. I said they were to 'fellowship and to uplift the members.' They said that that's what they were going to do with the roster; they are going to go and visit all the less actives on the list, teach, testify, fellowship and uplift. Then they will report back to us and we'll see how things are going; then we can have them do more things with us. So our young men are doing a stellar job! They're both excited to do missionary work and we're stoked to get them involved more.
It sounds from the letters that Dad's beginning to be an old geezer! Haha whateva! Your not old. I hear the 50's are the new 30's, LOL. My companion Elder Carter and I are trying to fall asleep really fast (mainly me because he snores ALOT) lol. He said to lay in a way that's super comfy and then try to put parts of your body asleep and then think of "I'm suppose to go to sleep, it's night time and I'm going to sleep." He can literally fall asleep in about 1 minute. THAT'S CRAZY!
Anyway, I hope y'all don't wear yourselves out. I hope things are going well and that you've enjoyed my letters!
The humidity here is crazy; cold one day and really hot and sweaty the next!
Hopefully, we will get to do more service soon. It's really fun to put myself to work out in a field, although not too hard. Because my ankles are giving me a hard time, I'm elevating them as much as I can and soaking them in epsom salt and then I apply icy hot at night. They still hurt every now and then; but it's all good. I'm also realizing that if I want to feel less tired I should work out more in the morning, to improve my stamina and lower stress and such.
The people that we're teaching are mostly african american. They love the gospel but don't know where to find happiness; saying they don't need another bible; but it's going well. We're teaching a family that is a referral and they were really nice about hearing about the restoration. I hope their desire grows.
Today I shared the letter that Laura wrote me for Christmas with my companion Elder Carter. It was so EPIC. I really couldn't finish it without crying. I really hope she understands the gospel and how it can help her in her life. I don't get many letters from the girls. However, I did get a hand written one from Amy and I was super stoked to find out that she still goes to church and listens to the lessons at church. It still really brings me to tears when I read all the letters from Christmas. All of those letters from y'all really made this last Christmas the best in my life. The girls still have testimonies and I know where they can find them. Something universal that has helped me is to open up the topical guide and look up the topic on how you are feeling. So I did that and my day really got much better. Another topic to look up is "problem solving" also in the topical guide and use that as a ladder to solve any issues y'all might be having.
I pray for y'all every day and hope all is well.
I love ALL OF YOU!
Remember Remember......
with all my love
Elder Richards
Friday, April 8, 2011
Conference Sunday!
Mom and Dad! 4 April 2011
I'm glad to hear that your all doing so well. I continually pray that things are going well and that y'all are blessed for it.
General Conference was awesome! I stayed awake the whole time (Saturday and Sunday) and took plenty of notes. If y'all would like to send me a copy of the Ensign that would be great!
Regarding transfers this coming week - I'm staying in Wakefield, VA and my companion Elder Christensen is being transferred to the bottom area of the mission in North Carolina. Our transfers happen on Sunday nights every six weeks and our transfers take place on the coming Thursday!
Some really cool things that I got out of conference was service. Service, as I have come to know is what helps with forgiveness, peace, and helps with any part of recovery in any area of our lives. I've also learned that even if nothing is wrong, we should still try to always have the desire to do service. Schedule a day during the week to go out to a library or a care home or to a park and to find many service opportunities that the Church can give. Especially in our Home Teaching and our Visiting Teaching. It is an invitation from Prophets and the Lord to improve our lives, understand the world around us and to be more unified. "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." D&C 89:19 I know that if you will both find time during the week to do local service together that you both will be blessed and be far more unified beyond what we already know from our understanding.
When we as missionaries study -- I, personally pray for the Holy Ghost to guide my study, and am still working on it. I think to myself, how can I strengthen my testimony beyond my current capacity and what can I learn that would help me do that? Lately I've been in the Bible Dictionary and I have been studying "light" with genealogy. It's been interesting to see how things were done around the time of Christ. Searching in the Bible Dictionary and the chronological order of events and the scripture chart in the Bible Dictionary has been something of interest to me.
It's also been great to see where I've come in my understanding of life, the world around me and even myself. Changing my character/personality for the better and enjoying every minute of it. Of course, that doesn't happen until we exercise our agency and willingly let the Father's will come into our lives - but that's been great too.
One other thing that has helped my study and my personal self is prayer - of which I'm still working on. After I pray and close, I take a minute (or however long it may take) to sit silent for a while and listen, ponder, meditate on the things of the Lord, the gospel and anything of the like and see what I can change in my life.
The people here are nice and sometimes full of drama and such. Since I'll be here a while longer I wonder if you wouldn't mind praying for our branch to get along and to have more unity. My new companion is Elder Carter; pray for us - that we will work well together.
I pray that things are alright back at home and in the 4th ward and in the 5th branch. Be sure to say hello to the young kids and the young adults.
I love y'all and hope to see some letters from y'all soon.
Elder Richards
I'm glad to hear that your all doing so well. I continually pray that things are going well and that y'all are blessed for it.
General Conference was awesome! I stayed awake the whole time (Saturday and Sunday) and took plenty of notes. If y'all would like to send me a copy of the Ensign that would be great!
Regarding transfers this coming week - I'm staying in Wakefield, VA and my companion Elder Christensen is being transferred to the bottom area of the mission in North Carolina. Our transfers happen on Sunday nights every six weeks and our transfers take place on the coming Thursday!
Some really cool things that I got out of conference was service. Service, as I have come to know is what helps with forgiveness, peace, and helps with any part of recovery in any area of our lives. I've also learned that even if nothing is wrong, we should still try to always have the desire to do service. Schedule a day during the week to go out to a library or a care home or to a park and to find many service opportunities that the Church can give. Especially in our Home Teaching and our Visiting Teaching. It is an invitation from Prophets and the Lord to improve our lives, understand the world around us and to be more unified. "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." D&C 89:19 I know that if you will both find time during the week to do local service together that you both will be blessed and be far more unified beyond what we already know from our understanding.
When we as missionaries study -- I, personally pray for the Holy Ghost to guide my study, and am still working on it. I think to myself, how can I strengthen my testimony beyond my current capacity and what can I learn that would help me do that? Lately I've been in the Bible Dictionary and I have been studying "light" with genealogy. It's been interesting to see how things were done around the time of Christ. Searching in the Bible Dictionary and the chronological order of events and the scripture chart in the Bible Dictionary has been something of interest to me.
It's also been great to see where I've come in my understanding of life, the world around me and even myself. Changing my character/personality for the better and enjoying every minute of it. Of course, that doesn't happen until we exercise our agency and willingly let the Father's will come into our lives - but that's been great too.
One other thing that has helped my study and my personal self is prayer - of which I'm still working on. After I pray and close, I take a minute (or however long it may take) to sit silent for a while and listen, ponder, meditate on the things of the Lord, the gospel and anything of the like and see what I can change in my life.
The people here are nice and sometimes full of drama and such. Since I'll be here a while longer I wonder if you wouldn't mind praying for our branch to get along and to have more unity. My new companion is Elder Carter; pray for us - that we will work well together.
I pray that things are alright back at home and in the 4th ward and in the 5th branch. Be sure to say hello to the young kids and the young adults.
I love y'all and hope to see some letters from y'all soon.
Elder Richards
More News from Wakefield, Virginia
Hey Mom and Dad! 28 Mar. 2011
I'm doing well here in Wakefield. We are getting nervous about transfer calls coming next week!
I hope that the girls are doing well. I've been praying for them every day, hoping that they would receive a witness of the gospel and the Savior. I've spent some good times in prayer with tears and hope that all is well with y'all.
I've been studying about the authority of Jesus Christ and His ministry and the example he set. I've also been reading about church history from my mission library. It reminds me of Temple Square and the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City and the more I study the more I would love to live in Utah. Reading about church history that is approved really strengthens my testimony and witness I've already had in my life.
My companion (Elder Christensen) and I have been talking and we both think it's a good idea to not watch TV or get on the computer on Sunday. We have felt that by not doing those things on the sabbath will help us to improve our family unity and strengthen our relationships. We should do our Home Teaching and take the opportunities to visit those in need. I know that the more we give of our time and effort doing service and living the gospel that we will see blessings for the things that we do. The more we ACT on it the better and faster we will progress. It's often in that time when we don't want to do it that our Spirit says to ACT on it - is when we will be blessed for those actions.
Here are some needs:
a HUG and a KISS....LOL!
Well, I hope that all is well and that nobody goes crazy - ha! ha! How's my challenge going that I extended y'all from Preach My Gospel about living a missionary schedule? I hope the lessons learned are being applied and that y'all enjoy them. I know that if we continue to build a strong foundation that we will always come out strong!.....but only if our foundation stays strong!
Next time y'all go to Utah, go to the Conference Center and take a tour, as I did. Pray before you go for an answer to a special question and for the Spirit. Look at some of the history in Salt Lake City at the Visitor Centers. I promise your testimonies will grow stronger and the more we act on these things the more our example will shine.
Thanks for all the e-mails and letters. Keep'em up - it's great to hear from y'all and also anyone in the 4th ward. Be sure to tell them hey and that I hope everything is going well.
Congrats to those young men and sister for choosing to serve missions. I will be writing soon.
Your son,
Elder Nicholas D. Richards
I'm doing well here in Wakefield. We are getting nervous about transfer calls coming next week!
I hope that the girls are doing well. I've been praying for them every day, hoping that they would receive a witness of the gospel and the Savior. I've spent some good times in prayer with tears and hope that all is well with y'all.
I've been studying about the authority of Jesus Christ and His ministry and the example he set. I've also been reading about church history from my mission library. It reminds me of Temple Square and the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City and the more I study the more I would love to live in Utah. Reading about church history that is approved really strengthens my testimony and witness I've already had in my life.
My companion (Elder Christensen) and I have been talking and we both think it's a good idea to not watch TV or get on the computer on Sunday. We have felt that by not doing those things on the sabbath will help us to improve our family unity and strengthen our relationships. We should do our Home Teaching and take the opportunities to visit those in need. I know that the more we give of our time and effort doing service and living the gospel that we will see blessings for the things that we do. The more we ACT on it the better and faster we will progress. It's often in that time when we don't want to do it that our Spirit says to ACT on it - is when we will be blessed for those actions.
Here are some needs:
a HUG and a KISS....LOL!
Well, I hope that all is well and that nobody goes crazy - ha! ha! How's my challenge going that I extended y'all from Preach My Gospel about living a missionary schedule? I hope the lessons learned are being applied and that y'all enjoy them. I know that if we continue to build a strong foundation that we will always come out strong!.....but only if our foundation stays strong!
Next time y'all go to Utah, go to the Conference Center and take a tour, as I did. Pray before you go for an answer to a special question and for the Spirit. Look at some of the history in Salt Lake City at the Visitor Centers. I promise your testimonies will grow stronger and the more we act on these things the more our example will shine.
Thanks for all the e-mails and letters. Keep'em up - it's great to hear from y'all and also anyone in the 4th ward. Be sure to tell them hey and that I hope everything is going well.
Congrats to those young men and sister for choosing to serve missions. I will be writing soon.
Your son,
Elder Nicholas D. Richards
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
LIFE IN THE MISSION
Hey Everyone! 14 March 2011
Thanks for all the letters, cards/mail y'all have sent over the past weeks and months! It's DEFINITELY nice to get mail when your down in the mission, so thanks for all the good stuff!
Life since I've been transferred has been good. A little quiet, but good. Here in Wakefield we're surrounded by lots of farmland and animals. The loudest things which come through town are the semi's and the trains - of which we live just 3-4 buildings away from the tracks. It's nice though; the sound puts me to sleep at night. The people here are really nice. Some like to sit out on the porch and talk; others will talk to us in the fast food restaurants and others while we're walking and they all have questions about the bible. We tell them we have the answers and an "expansion pack" to the bible. Here we really have to simplify the gospel and really define each principal in every lesson. So it's all good! :D
My companion is really cool! He's from Oregon and loves the Oregon ducks! He is very humble and teachable. I take criticism when he gives it and work out how to fix things and try to refine my characteristics of missionary work; and I do the same for him. We work great together, talk about doctrine, life, sports, things like that while we're walking all around the town of Waverly.
The good places here in town are the Virginia Diner and La Hacienda; the train and the weather (because Virginia gets it's weather readings from Wakefield/Waverly, so it's really quiet here--ha! ha!)
Our branch is really small and nice and our branch president is really awesome; very sarcastic and gives us GOOD work to do. The members span from all walks of life, so we really get to use our teaching skills - to test and improve their faith.
Just recently I was on exchanges in Petersburg with an Elder White and he asked me how I was doing in my area and I asked him the same. He mentioned how large a majority of the balance of white and African American in Virginia is. In my area it's 64% african american to 36% white and much more in Petersburg. When I was up there we were in the ghetto and always having people looking at us and calling us the "Jesus People"; so it's always fun and exciting where I'm headed in Virginia.
The phrases people say are great: "Jesus people "y'all have a blessed day".
Some words are very different too, such as: sink=zink, struggling=skrugglin, ask=ax, Mormon's=normon's. So I'm skrugglin to keep up the understanding of the language here. Ha! ha! but it's all good!
We haven't run into any violence yet or anything. The closest to that are all the deer (40+) in all the fields here at night when we're driving back home. It's a sight to see a herd like that.
Well, hope to hear from y'all soon!
Elder Richards
Thanks for all the letters, cards/mail y'all have sent over the past weeks and months! It's DEFINITELY nice to get mail when your down in the mission, so thanks for all the good stuff!
Life since I've been transferred has been good. A little quiet, but good. Here in Wakefield we're surrounded by lots of farmland and animals. The loudest things which come through town are the semi's and the trains - of which we live just 3-4 buildings away from the tracks. It's nice though; the sound puts me to sleep at night. The people here are really nice. Some like to sit out on the porch and talk; others will talk to us in the fast food restaurants and others while we're walking and they all have questions about the bible. We tell them we have the answers and an "expansion pack" to the bible. Here we really have to simplify the gospel and really define each principal in every lesson. So it's all good! :D
My companion is really cool! He's from Oregon and loves the Oregon ducks! He is very humble and teachable. I take criticism when he gives it and work out how to fix things and try to refine my characteristics of missionary work; and I do the same for him. We work great together, talk about doctrine, life, sports, things like that while we're walking all around the town of Waverly.
The good places here in town are the Virginia Diner and La Hacienda; the train and the weather (because Virginia gets it's weather readings from Wakefield/Waverly, so it's really quiet here--ha! ha!)
Our branch is really small and nice and our branch president is really awesome; very sarcastic and gives us GOOD work to do. The members span from all walks of life, so we really get to use our teaching skills - to test and improve their faith.
Just recently I was on exchanges in Petersburg with an Elder White and he asked me how I was doing in my area and I asked him the same. He mentioned how large a majority of the balance of white and African American in Virginia is. In my area it's 64% african american to 36% white and much more in Petersburg. When I was up there we were in the ghetto and always having people looking at us and calling us the "Jesus People"; so it's always fun and exciting where I'm headed in Virginia.
The phrases people say are great: "Jesus people "y'all have a blessed day".
Some words are very different too, such as: sink=zink, struggling=skrugglin, ask=ax, Mormon's=normon's. So I'm skrugglin to keep up the understanding of the language here. Ha! ha! but it's all good!
We haven't run into any violence yet or anything. The closest to that are all the deer (40+) in all the fields here at night when we're driving back home. It's a sight to see a herd like that.
Well, hope to hear from y'all soon!
Elder Richards
Monday, March 7, 2011
Latest News from our Missionary
Hey Mom and Dad,
Thank you for the emails. It's also nice to hear from you after my MP3 player reset ALL of my content! So all my music and family and friends pictures are GONE! So the only ones I have are the few you sent me and the few that are in my camera. If you could get some pictures of everyone soon and send them to me. It really just downed my mood after I accidentally reset my zune. ;-(
I'm staying warm and the socks are doing great! Sorry I can't send pictures today but I'll remind myself for next week for pictures! As for the bike stuff, I don't need a helmet and any equipment other than a rear fender because when I was riding in the rain on a dirt trail I had a nice brown streak of mud in a certain place on my pants. I just joked around with it to the other missionaries....ha! ha!
As far as packages go....I feel like I'm going to get all my teeth ripped out really soon because EVERYBODY sends candy to their missionaries. We have candy circulating around the areas of the mission from all the missionaries because we can't eat all the candy. It was interesting to find a nice giant bowl of candy when I came to Wakefield...ha! ha!
Other than the drama at church (last Sunday)....we had a recent convert bear his testimony which was awesome! He said "when you are going through hard times and Jesus comes to help, because you need it, your not going to like it, oh no, your not going to like it....YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT!" It was a bit surprising to see/hear him yell in the microphone in such a small building but it was EPIC!! Some people here, when they say goodbye, they say 'y'all have a blessed day now" and sometimes they will say stuff like "THANK YOU JESUS".
Other interesting stuff that happened this week was when we were in a prayer circle; they (people) just brought us inside their house to have a random prayer circle and this woman, who was totally drunk, was like shaking my hand - almost like she was trying to yank my arm out of my socket. I have to say that the south is one interesting place!
Also the rain here is CRAZY! We had to run to our car (15 ft. away) from a house we were at and I LITERALLY took a shower! All I needed was a bar of soap and I would have been clean...ha!ha!
What a lot of churches do here - is that one preacher will own anywhere between 4-8 churches in the area (i.e. from Richmond to Wakefield) and what the preachers will do is meet at one location and discuss the financial income from all of the 8 churches. They will discuss whether to close a church down based on how much money the members give to the preacher of that church. Sometimes they will just preach a sermon to the congregation on how they need to give them (preacher)more money. The way I see it (just my opinion) it kind of looks like they are controlling people's money based on their belief in Jesus Christ - all for the sake of money. That's some crazy stuff to me. 1 Nephi 13 really puts it into place as to what he (Nephi) saw in the latter days - and this is only a little bit of what is going on - so the Book of Mormon is true!!!!!!
I hope everything is going well - I pray for y'all every day! I hope all the computer stuff is going well and that there are no problems with anything. I'll be looking forward to all your letters and emails from y'all and friends.
Love y'all,
Elder Richards ;-)
P.S. Tell my friends that I'll send letters and email too, but it will take me some time. I'm trying, but we're busy! I haven't forgotten them. ;-)
Thank you for the emails. It's also nice to hear from you after my MP3 player reset ALL of my content! So all my music and family and friends pictures are GONE! So the only ones I have are the few you sent me and the few that are in my camera. If you could get some pictures of everyone soon and send them to me. It really just downed my mood after I accidentally reset my zune. ;-(
I'm staying warm and the socks are doing great! Sorry I can't send pictures today but I'll remind myself for next week for pictures! As for the bike stuff, I don't need a helmet and any equipment other than a rear fender because when I was riding in the rain on a dirt trail I had a nice brown streak of mud in a certain place on my pants. I just joked around with it to the other missionaries....ha! ha!
As far as packages go....I feel like I'm going to get all my teeth ripped out really soon because EVERYBODY sends candy to their missionaries. We have candy circulating around the areas of the mission from all the missionaries because we can't eat all the candy. It was interesting to find a nice giant bowl of candy when I came to Wakefield...ha! ha!
Other than the drama at church (last Sunday)....we had a recent convert bear his testimony which was awesome! He said "when you are going through hard times and Jesus comes to help, because you need it, your not going to like it, oh no, your not going to like it....YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT!" It was a bit surprising to see/hear him yell in the microphone in such a small building but it was EPIC!! Some people here, when they say goodbye, they say 'y'all have a blessed day now" and sometimes they will say stuff like "THANK YOU JESUS".
Other interesting stuff that happened this week was when we were in a prayer circle; they (people) just brought us inside their house to have a random prayer circle and this woman, who was totally drunk, was like shaking my hand - almost like she was trying to yank my arm out of my socket. I have to say that the south is one interesting place!
Also the rain here is CRAZY! We had to run to our car (15 ft. away) from a house we were at and I LITERALLY took a shower! All I needed was a bar of soap and I would have been clean...ha!ha!
What a lot of churches do here - is that one preacher will own anywhere between 4-8 churches in the area (i.e. from Richmond to Wakefield) and what the preachers will do is meet at one location and discuss the financial income from all of the 8 churches. They will discuss whether to close a church down based on how much money the members give to the preacher of that church. Sometimes they will just preach a sermon to the congregation on how they need to give them (preacher)more money. The way I see it (just my opinion) it kind of looks like they are controlling people's money based on their belief in Jesus Christ - all for the sake of money. That's some crazy stuff to me. 1 Nephi 13 really puts it into place as to what he (Nephi) saw in the latter days - and this is only a little bit of what is going on - so the Book of Mormon is true!!!!!!
I hope everything is going well - I pray for y'all every day! I hope all the computer stuff is going well and that there are no problems with anything. I'll be looking forward to all your letters and emails from y'all and friends.
Love y'all,
Elder Richards ;-)
P.S. Tell my friends that I'll send letters and email too, but it will take me some time. I'm trying, but we're busy! I haven't forgotten them. ;-)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
First Week in Wakefield!
Hey Family!
So my 1st Sunday here was interesting!
We had a lady in Sacrament meeting pass out. People were busy calling the ambulance! As if that weren't enough - we had a person who 'opposed' someone else who was called to a new calling and they walked out and slammed the door! Then later in Gospel Principles class another member was totally not being cool....they didn't think a brother in the ward was worthy to be baptized. It was wierd! My companion, Elder Christensen was ready to rebuke him and we had another member almost leave the Church. It was a crazy first Sunday. It reminded me of high school drama!
I pray that everyone is safe and doing well. I'm doing ok! My companion is great! Really nice - really humble. So I've got a good opportunity to improve a lot!
Well, I think that's about it for this exciting week.
I love you all ! Isaiah 6:6-10 - Hymn #2 and the song "We'll bring the world His truth".
Elder Richards ;-)
So my 1st Sunday here was interesting!
We had a lady in Sacrament meeting pass out. People were busy calling the ambulance! As if that weren't enough - we had a person who 'opposed' someone else who was called to a new calling and they walked out and slammed the door! Then later in Gospel Principles class another member was totally not being cool....they didn't think a brother in the ward was worthy to be baptized. It was wierd! My companion, Elder Christensen was ready to rebuke him and we had another member almost leave the Church. It was a crazy first Sunday. It reminded me of high school drama!
I pray that everyone is safe and doing well. I'm doing ok! My companion is great! Really nice - really humble. So I've got a good opportunity to improve a lot!
Well, I think that's about it for this exciting week.
I love you all ! Isaiah 6:6-10 - Hymn #2 and the song "We'll bring the world His truth".
Elder Richards ;-)
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