NEWS UPDATE!

Our missionary was in an accident! As far as I know, this is the 2nd time that he was almost hit by a car. This picture below was taken by a ward member who helped him out and they texted and sent this to Don's phone (who is in Chicago).

They said that it was either hit the pavement or get hit by the car. He took evasive action and this was the result. At least he will have some battle scars to tell his children about someday.

I don't believe he was actually crying in this pic (I hope he isn't!!)..we were led to believe that he was demonstrating to someone there what happened at the time...(then again, MAYBE he was crying....!)

All I know...is that he must be doing some great work or Lucifer wouldn't be trying so hard to stop him. Let's hope it doesn't turn out to be "3" times a charm.

The members of the Virginia Richmond Mission are AWESOME! They take such good care of the missionaries there - it definitely gives Don and I peace of mind; also strengthens my testimony that the Lord watches over all of his 'stripling warriors'!

Don texted back to them to give him our love and concern and that he is in our prayers!

Susan

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the emails and all the great insights on some great things!

Today for Halloween we get to go inside for the holiday....but....we get to enjoy that time at a members home, so it'll be NICE!

Portsmouth, VA

Here are some other things that have been happening:

We had a baptism!!!!!!!!

We have a great new investigator (who is really questioning all the good stuff/everything) and I'm staying in Portsmouth. So other than that things are going well!!

 

Our ward is AWESOME and we're really getting to know a lot about our area. I had my interview with President and it was so nice to get to talk to him and get to hear his counsel on things I should do.



I believe these are members of his ward!

I'm sorry this e-mail isn't too long. I just had a LONG conversation with a really nice woman about religion......but I'll send these pictures your way. (It sounds like he is busy sharing the gospel....I don't mind getting short emails since he is doing the Lord's work!)



Elder Richards

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

Hi from Virginia!                                         24 October 2011

Thanks for the emails Mom and Dad; it was great to hear that you are all doing great!

Riding HIGH in the Sky!
(Can you tell they're bored?)



 The last 7 days have been GREAT! My companion and I hammered out some things in our comp. inventory and now we work together better; that really is a nice blessing to have. Preach My Gospel is incredible!!!

Lately, we've been working with some people that have major trials in their lives. The feelings I have felt and the love I have felt towards them, reminds me that missionary work IS a work of love and will go on for the rest of my life. Each person I've met has changed who I am and has helped me see the big picture of who I am - it's INDESCRIBABLE!

If anyone is wondering how to so call "find themselves" then do these 4 steps:

A. Pray often and give an accounting to the Lord.

B. Serve those around you for NO reason and pray to be filled with love for those you serve.

C. Clean up after yourself (said my companion!) - (Yeah, I'm guilty - ha!ha!). Just as a clean engine works better than when it's dirty, so does the Spirit work better in our lives.

D. Don't be afraid to give correction BUT do it with love; build them up and then express feelings towards them, as well as take correction yourself.

Yeah - things are going really well.

Lately we've been teaching a person the lessons. I kind of set them for a quick date - for the 29th of October. Then we met with them last night, and they want to get baptized this Wednesday. We were so surprised that we didn't even get around to talking about what we had planned. Having the Spirit direct that lesson last night was GREAT! To see this person make a solid commitment and continue on with their lives is incredible! So....YEAH....it was awesome!!

So my companion and I got really bored the other day, which should explain the pictures, but hey, we're missionaries and you can only do so much with what you have....! HA! HA!



Glad to see he is brushing his teeth!




I call this one "Monkey Face"
(They must really be bored!)




Sleeping High in the Sky
(Silly E. Jensen!)

Other than being bored, we're doing GREAT! I've been worried about how things are back at home with everything and how everyone is doing! I also hate asking for things (I'm like you dad, admit it LOL) but I pray that everything is going well.

This talk, which I've listed below, was given to me by a sister missionary as she was preparing to go home. It has helped address some of my concerns and other hard things. As well as helped my understanding of why we have adversity and it also addresses the question "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people." I hope you enjoy it:

http://lds.org/ensign/2000/03/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence?lang=eng&query=cast+away+therefore+your+confidence

This scripture (this week) is also wonderful:


Alma 6:6:
"Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."

I hope all is well and that your days and weeks will continue to get better. It gives me great joy in hearing from you all and I hope to hear from you soon.

Elder Richards

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

My Mission Progress

Hey Guys!

Here are 3 great spots I thought you might enjoy watching! Let me know what you think of them... I love you all!

http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2011-06-012-moments-that-matter-most


http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2011-05-010-book-of-mormon-introduction


http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2009-05-21-hope-ya-know-we-had-a-hard-time


Hey Everybody!

So far my bike is fixed! The only thing I really need with it is that the 1st and 8th gears are worn a bit (we missionaries redefine wear and tear) - but my bike is otherwise doing great!

Lately, we've had a lot of people getting ready for baptism but they can't seem to make the final push. If they did we would have wrinkled skin after being in the water for so long....we're working on it!

Lately my companion and I have been working and getting better at our weaknesses and we're trying to hammer everything out as we go,....it's going great though!

So I'm still sick (just with a cough) but it's all good. We're going to be loading up on things here pretty soon at Walmart tonight....haha!

So I want to talk about my mission so far. What it has done for me and how I've changed.

My mission has changed my entire perspective on my life. I owe all of my help and sanctification to my Savior. My attitude to prayer is different and I continue to change how I feel about communicating with my Father and Jesus Christ.

Regarding my thoughts on returning home one day...I see myself deleting all the music and getting rid of a ton of movies, shows, games, etc. Changing what is in my life and emursing myself deeply in my understanding of my beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

One thing that has stuck out in my mind is that there are only 2 names I represent. First, Jesus Christ and second, my family name. They are the only 2 names on my tag. I go around telling people that I will help them regardless of their circumstances as Christ would do and as a Richards--family name. So that when people read my name (Richards) they will remember that the Richards' believed and lived the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It is a heavy burden but one I enjoy because I still hope I can change as much as the Apostle Paul did and make sacrifices when it is needed but seems impossible. So far it's been great! and I am looking forward to seeing how I come up to next in my progression. I don't want to go back to who I was before as the council from an Area Seventy suggested "Don't adjust very much when you return home; the only thing that must happen is your release and nothing else." Adding my own words to that "if I go home with nothing applied than I'm not doing what Christ intended for me from the beginning; to follow Him, to act like Him, in His name, and to sanctify myself. If I stop doing those things then I will not be as close to the Lord ever in my life as I have had the opportunity to be now or in the Temple." I owe everything to Him and I'm seeking ways every day to change and apply new things that will bring me closer to that goal. The phrase we use out here the most should be applied to all..."Set goals AND make plans to ____________."

Everything else is going well.....other than I need to write in my journal more and get feeling better!! I hope y'all liked this email and I hope to hear from y'all soon.

I love ya!

Elder Richards

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

Hello, This is Elder Richards - 3 October 2011

Hey Everyone!

This is the group I just left in Lawrenceville, Virginia!    Great Elders!!!



Lawrenceville

Just thought I would tell of some interesting experiences in my new district lately. Due to the leadership training that my companion was called out to I went and stayed with some Elders in my new district in an area called Deep Creek for about 4 days and it was awesome!

The first day we got moving and went to see some appointments. We were soaked to the bone in a big rain storm and in case you're wondering what Elders do in a rain storm, they keep going to their appointments and let the air dry them off. Haha...so it was fun!

In the next few days...one Elder's bike got a flat, so I carried his bike to the gas station and we attempted to fill it up and before we knew it - the inner tube was sticking 2 inches out of the rim! I yelled WHOA WHOA ELDER STOP..STOP! and then BOOOOOOOM and since we were in a part of town where there are bars on the windows and doors of the stores .... I was expecting to hear return gun fire....luckily we didn't get any! We had a great laugh (haha!) and I proceeded to carry his bike to the store. On the way, we were crossing the street and we could see a truck off in the distance that was far enough away that we could go ahead and cross (we thought!). As soon as I got half-way across carrying the bike, I heard a very loud burst of a turbo-charged truck engine speeding towards me at what was far beyond the speed limit!!!  By the time I got to the sidewalk and looked back at the other Elders - the truck went screaming by at @ 60-80 mile per hour.

Later that day we rode to the apartment and beat our member who was taking the other Elder home with his bike and we ended up getting soaked again and waiting in the rain for them to show up...Haha!

The next day we went to teach an older lady and during the lesson her dog was sleeping. I went to pet the dog and it just started barking and trying to bite me.....out of nowhere! I almost "bit the dust" but it's all good!

The day after that we were in our kitchen and we had this HUGE bug just chilling on the wall and I said to the other missionary "don't move" - and of course he didn't know why. I took a cake mix box and in one swoop (like a Ninja) smashed that bug on the wall. As I did so the other Elder just flipped out!

Oh the joy of the adventures on exchanges and the sweet satisfaction of not only smashing a giant bug but also scaring the missionary I was next to. Haha...oh the joy!! :-)

Now for the bike story....I found a bike frame of a T.R.E.K. in the Elder's closet and it had a ton of things missing but it has a very well built body and the gear changers were in great condition. The Elders there let me have it. The last day I was in Deep Creek (after my back tire fell off while crossing the highway) we got the bike rebuilt at a very good bike shop! The owner looked at it, felt the frame with his hand for about 2 seconds and then gave me an estimate on it and that was it! He is a man who has had around 40-60 years of biking under his belt. In a day when there were no big brand name bikes (or bike shops) in the states and you just had to build your own bike. He is a master bike builder - all while listening to classical music!!   I didn't get out of there until I placed a Book of Mormon in his hands!!! Yeah!! So I'm good to go and we're doing great!

I hope that everyone got some kick's and giggles out of my adventures and that everyone has a very good week after what was mentioned in General Conference.

I LOVE you all!

Our address is:

617 Dunedin Rd., Apt. #A
Portsmouth, VA 23701

Elder Richards

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



old Diamond Back Bike



New T.R.E.K. orange bike.....!

IT'S ALL GOOD!!

FYI

For anyone who is sending a package or letter through the mail to Nick - PLEASE be sure to add his first name as there is more than one Elder Richards in his mission!!!     NICK or NICHOLAS

Thanks!

Susan Richards :-)

News from Portsmouth, Virginia

Hello Dear Family!                                            26 Sep 2011

My new area ROCKS and so does my new companion! I was in the MTC with Elder Jensen...

E. Jensen, E. Richards

Portsmouth, VA - 09-26-11

E. Jensen, E. Richards

E. Jensen - MTC

MTC-Provo Temple

E. Jensen is far left & E. Richards' MTC

companion, E. Stanley is on far right!

Good Memories!

Things are going well. We're on bike and don't have a car. My bike that I'm using now is uh...ok...haha!...It's got no shock's and it's made from about 3 other bikes..haha! So I'm looking in the mission for a better one that we can rebuild. I think my bike is older than me - a bit! LOL!

As far as all my equipment goes - it's all doing good. I may send some of the picture frames home and laminate all my pics (for builk and size reasons). I'm now recovering from my lovely aching bike seat that I'm still getting used to...haha!

Our area is really nice, tons of stores and lot's of nice people everywhere. It's nice to talk to everyone and much easier. I find doing service the best way for me to 'find' myself...help me become familiar with my new surroundings.

It's funny that most people think that they will just 'find' themselves soon but as I've observed throughout my mission is that it takes a lifetime and religion is really the base on how we can build our lives. It's absolutely necessary!!!

Lately, it's been raining a lot so I've been getting some nice brown and black splashes up my backside because I don't have fenders for my bike....Yuck!....

Last night Elder Jensen (from Nevada) and I were teaching a lesson to a member and I didn't know it, but a mesquito landed on my arm. My companion reached over and slapped my arm all 'ninja style'! It really surprised me! haha! whoa! :-) but all is well! (Hopefully, E. Jensen killed the mesquito!)

Our ward is AWESOME! We've got tons of military folks in our ward - of which about 250 are active and come on Sundays - which is much different from the normal 20-60 on Sundays where I was serving before.

We had a nice fast and testimony meeting and we forgot that it was (fast & testimony Sunday) until AFTER we had some breakfast!! Oops! I had already fasted the week before - so it's all good! Other than those changes, the accent is still somewhat strong in my area and there are a lot more people from foreign countries here too!!

Oh and by-the-way for all those boys reading this. The port in my area here holds the East Coast fleet of the Navy and the Airforce ships also....so it's.....AWESOME - WOOHOO!!

Yeah - I'm a guy and it's epic! I'll see if I can take a pic of the carriers and other ships later (it's a military installation so I'm not sure....)

Well, I think that's about it!

Family, I hope and pray you are all doing well and that y'all write me soon. I'm looking forward to it!

Your son and Missionary called of God,

E. Richards

Elder Richards

Virginia Richmond Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter Day Saints