Hey Everyone! 19 November 2012
I'm safe here in Newport News with my companion Elder Orr. He's from Logan, UT and he's been out 16 months.
Our apartment is sweet! It's got all wood floors and is really old. We just got some things fixed on it today actually....Haha!
We don't have any investigators but we're teaching alot....which sounds wierd; but in 'Preach My Gospel' an investigator is someone who has had a lesson and accepted and kept another one...so we're working hard to find a ton! But...it's all good! We've (my companion and I) got a good mood about ourselves (we work great together!) and we're going to change how things are done here. I love how close knit the branch is and how much the people love the missionaries. People reach out more here which is really nice. At church yesterday we had a really nice homeless guy at Church looking for coffee; so we invited him to our Thanksgiving Dinner last night and sent him away with tons of food and a flashlight from one of the members. We're hoping to see him next Sunday!
When I got the (transfer) call, I thought of Elder Carter (former companion) and how much he loved it here and how highly he spoke of it here; and how much I dreamed of serving here. Now I get to finish here....it's great!
Elder Orr and I work really well together and we're both trying to be obedient. It's a nice change from my last transfer; here we actually plan and work really hard. I just love staying busy and when my companion also strives to work - it makes my day; knowing that I'll be really busy doing productive things.
I lost my camera in my last area but the other Elders found it and it's on it's way here. As soon as I get it, I'll take as many pics as I can. We get up every morning and exercise every day. Now we're going jogging every morning as soon as we get up. Yeah, my lungs are on fire but it get's easier as time goes on. Besides, I think biking as hard as I can will be much easier if my lungs can take it more.... Haha!
Our Branch President is awesome. He makes sure we're safe. Every time we go south in our area, we text him at a checkpoint so he knows where we are in case something happens.
So since I've served in Portsmouth and in Norfolk, I like to call this my own little Bermuda Tri-angle...Haha! and I do like the water and the air ships that rocket the sky every day. It's nice to be back in familiar areas...it's been a while.
So, I can't wait for the bike to be put together when I get home. We'll be putting both together at the same time. It's going to be fun! Aside from rain gear, I would say the light but durable stuff and a top peak rear fender and front fenders for the Diamond Back.
It's good to hear that everyone is in a fitness mode. I can't wait to do morning workouts with everyone when I get home.
BTW, everyone reminds me of my time I have left, but it's no big deal! I have a list of things I'm going to do when I get home and that lessens my worry of my time left. Plus we have a ton to get done, so I don't have too much time to think about it anyway. And the time I do have left - it's not enough to really bother me. It's all good, we're staying busy and that's the way - a huh - a huh - I like it! YEAH!
I can't wait to begin this work when I get home. Recently a sister missionary that just came out asked what I'm going to do when I get home. I handed her my missionary work list and she said "Your actually going to do this?" and I thought, isn't that what Christ asked me/us to do - to do this the rest of my life? To bless those whose arms hang hopelessly down and to lift those in need?! Gosh, if I just helped others for two years and came back and didn't incorporate that into my life then my mission would have been in vain..
James 1:23-27 states: 23."For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natual face in a glass: 24.For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25.But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26.If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27.Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
So, I will strive to make a difference. I hope that I can arise to be a new saint, a new person, someone who can bless others. I hope I can be the person God needs me to be. A simple list is all it takes, ideas and then planning to accomplish my goals....So I need everyone to help me do missionary work.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day - safe and sound, feeling loved and secure.
I love you all!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
P.S. Below are 2 videos he sent......hope you ENJOY! They're great!
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#expressions-of-love
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/feature-films?lang=eng#2012-00-0060-the-phone-call
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