Hey Everyone!                                                                  24 April 2012

Things here are quite nice today. It's a bit chilly but perfect for biking. That way we don't sweat our &*@!(butts) off. Ha ha!

So...my new companion and I are doing great!! He is the man! We're both from Washington and we have a lot in common.

Lately, things have been going down a bit here in the ward but we're going to be getting things going! We're setting goals and making plans. (Sometimes working with 'people' is the biggest challenge in missionary work).

We're trying to build up our relationship with the Bishop here in the ward. He likes to throw down on us a lot and all the other past missionaries, so we're trying to figure out what to do to help him out more.

We're also trying to get the mission plan for the ward working better. They have goals now; but no plans on how to implement those goals into action.

2 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 (Very appropriate scripture for a missionary)

I've gotten better with stress due to my new companion (he's the man!). Things are getting much better; plus he LOVES to work really hard....so that's great! The other day we were looking for a street and ended up biking all the way across town and then ended up having to turn back and bike the way we had come. It's all good! We  had a great conversation while we were at it!

I hope all is going well at home...that things are getting better. One thing that's really helped me is when I can go into my room (here on the mission) where I have a lot of pictures of the Savior. I just look at them and think in the scriptures where they took place. That really helps me out a lot and fills my mind with peace, virtue and the thought that "none of the knowledge from the gospel (scriptures) really works until we take the time to use it in our lives. I hope that can help you!

Regarding my box...I HOPE to get it together soon. I keep putting it off...I hope I can stop putting the "pro" in procrastination off because I'm really good at that. Actually that's the only thing I'm a Pro at...HaHa!!!

My bike will hopefully be getting worked on today as we will be downtown.

I hope all is well. When I get home I'll be sure to be in the garage fixing everyone's bikes!! (We are having major bike issues at our house at the moment!) Ha! Ha! that's one of my new stress relievers!

Anyway, I love you all!

Elder Richards

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