Hey Mom and Dad,
Thanks for the emails and packages! Things are going well. One of my zone leaders and I cleaned our apartment! (The people who lived here before really stank!) We washed the walls and I spread baking soda on the carpet and then vacuumed and now it doesn't smell so bad. Life is definitely different when you are living without your parents and with a room mate - but it's not bad! My companion is doing well. We share our food and such so there isn't any contention. That's my goal - to not have any contention. :-) I offer my services and help to my fellow missionaries when needed and always tell them that I'm here for them.
Our investigator Charles (baptist preacher) testifies of the Book of Mormon, except he doesn't want to get baptized. He's afraid of leaving all the culture and his friends of his church behind. He knows the Book of Mormon is true. I just pray that we will be able to progress with him. He's a great person - very nice!
I'm glad that you guys are doing so well!! It really makes me feel so good and really helps my confidence when I hear good things are going on.
Our ward mission leader here is encouraging members to create a profile on Mormon.org. The Church has a goal to reach 100,000 member profiles on the site. Be sure you create a profile on there and encourage everyone else to also. It's missionary work too!! Here is Nick's Profile on Mormon.org - http://www.mormon.org/me/1704-eng/.
Here in Virginia there are a LOT of Hispanic people and we usually end up speaking Spanish to them; or at least trying! Ha! Ha! We've got one sister missionary, Hermosa Coweley and we are trying to learn Spanish from her - it's fun!
I'm sorry that today I forgot my camera. I was going to hook it up to the computer and send pics through the email. I'll do it next week!
Last night, my companion and I were driving down the road and a female deer ran into the side of our car (which was going 40 mph). The deer ran full-sprint into us. We are OK and so is the car (not a scratch on it or even a dent!). Ha! Ha! As for the deer, it ran off and might need a giant bottle of ibuprofen...LOL!
Another exciting incident this past week. Elder Carpenter and I got lost out in the woods on Saturday, while on bikes. I'll tell more about that later in a letter that I'm sending! LOL!
Well, I have to go, time is running out on the computer, but know that I love you and dad and am so thankful that you pray for us and put our names in the temple.
Also, I got the comforter! :-) and also the box of goodies and the letters from your FHE. Tell everyone a big thanks!
Well, I love you and also pray for you and dad! Thanks!
Love, Elder Richards
Monday, February 7, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Letter dated 24 January 2011
Thanks for the emails! That is so cool that Jacob (Klumker) is going to Africa. I knew an elder in the MTC that was from that city (Johannesburg). His accent was cool! He was an AWESOME missionary.
It's been going good here. I was having a stressful morning the other day during my personal study time. I didn't know why the Lord wanted me out here and then my companion referred me to 1 Nephi 20:10 "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Those words from him were an answer to my prayers. He also told me that our area is known to be one of the hardest areas and that they don't ever train new missionaries here because it's so hard. He said that I was chosen for a reason to come here to do something. I don't know if we're going to be on fire in this area but I pray that it will be more active very soon!
My DL and ZL's are AWESOME! They are so funny - we always speak in an italian accent to each other because we have a member who is italian and.....he is just awesome!
The food here is awesome (can you tell that is his new favorite word!! :-) It's very good and I'm getting better at eating my breakfast in the morning. I also make my companion's bed while he's in the shower - LOL - and do stuff for him when he least expects it, and it really helps me feel good.
One thing that I have learned that helps me in prayer is to set time aside each day and listen to what the Lord wants to tell me. Last night it was awesome! I did as Samuel did and said "thy servant is listening" or something like that and it felt so good throughout the night.
Tell everyone in the branch to write me if they can. Some words of wisdom and inspiration and mission stories would be helpful. I miss everyone in the branch but I've found that my experiences and the help from everyone there has helped me this far and it will continue to help me. Thank you all......I'm not used to saying Y'all yet! LOL!
That is so awesome mom and dad that Bro. Fine and Bro. Miller are your home teachers. I'm so grateful for you and mom and all the sisters. All of the pics and quotes that the sisters sent on Christmas day really helped. Be sure to tell them thanks for me. I haven't heard from them since Christmas. I'm worried about them and wondering how they are doing. Also if you all just want to use the Mission Office address that would be good. The mailbox we have for our apartment is real sketchy so we get our mail through the office.
I'm so greatful for the love you all have for me! It really helps all the time! I love you all and pray for your safety and well-being and that the Lord will watch over you! Thank you so much! I love you all!
Elder Nicholas D. Richards (the old man) ha! ha!
It's been going good here. I was having a stressful morning the other day during my personal study time. I didn't know why the Lord wanted me out here and then my companion referred me to 1 Nephi 20:10 "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Those words from him were an answer to my prayers. He also told me that our area is known to be one of the hardest areas and that they don't ever train new missionaries here because it's so hard. He said that I was chosen for a reason to come here to do something. I don't know if we're going to be on fire in this area but I pray that it will be more active very soon!
My DL and ZL's are AWESOME! They are so funny - we always speak in an italian accent to each other because we have a member who is italian and.....he is just awesome!
The food here is awesome (can you tell that is his new favorite word!! :-) It's very good and I'm getting better at eating my breakfast in the morning. I also make my companion's bed while he's in the shower - LOL - and do stuff for him when he least expects it, and it really helps me feel good.
One thing that I have learned that helps me in prayer is to set time aside each day and listen to what the Lord wants to tell me. Last night it was awesome! I did as Samuel did and said "thy servant is listening" or something like that and it felt so good throughout the night.
Tell everyone in the branch to write me if they can. Some words of wisdom and inspiration and mission stories would be helpful. I miss everyone in the branch but I've found that my experiences and the help from everyone there has helped me this far and it will continue to help me. Thank you all......I'm not used to saying Y'all yet! LOL!
That is so awesome mom and dad that Bro. Fine and Bro. Miller are your home teachers. I'm so grateful for you and mom and all the sisters. All of the pics and quotes that the sisters sent on Christmas day really helped. Be sure to tell them thanks for me. I haven't heard from them since Christmas. I'm worried about them and wondering how they are doing. Also if you all just want to use the Mission Office address that would be good. The mailbox we have for our apartment is real sketchy so we get our mail through the office.
I'm so greatful for the love you all have for me! It really helps all the time! I love you all and pray for your safety and well-being and that the Lord will watch over you! Thank you so much! I love you all!
Elder Nicholas D. Richards (the old man) ha! ha!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Letter from Pres. James Perry
Its so wonderful how the people serving the Lord in the Richmond Virginia mission not only treat the missionaries - but also think of the parents and family members here at home! I honor them for their service to our Son and all of the other sons and daughters serving there.
Letter from Elder Richards to Mom!
Hey Mom :-)
It's so nice getting your letters! I really do enjoy reading them. It always makes my day when I get ANY sort of mail. Thank you for all your love and inspiration and scriptures that you've been sending. My heart just fills with the Spirit when I read the scriptures you send me.
I'm so grateful for the love you have for the gospel and for the dedication you have for the work. I think it's awesome that you are so sensitive to the Spirit and I really admire that. I'm grateful for all that you teach me; like the mothers who taught their 2,000 stripling warriors. Being here on my mission, thus far has been great.
I know that by the whisperings of the Spirit the Lord will be there for me and for you. I know that whatever trials we may have the Lord will lift us up. 2 NE. 4:20 "My God hath been my support" and seeing you throughout the years I know that the Lord will support you. Thank you for teaching me righteous principles and know that by the Spirit that I will be safe.
Thank you for that hymn #98. Earlier that day I felt the Spirit wanted me to listen to it, even before I got your letter. I know that you felt the Spirit or that wouldn't have happened. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Thank you for being on the straight and narrow path. I love you always!
Elder Nicholas Richards
Hymn #29 ALL VERSES!
It's so nice getting your letters! I really do enjoy reading them. It always makes my day when I get ANY sort of mail. Thank you for all your love and inspiration and scriptures that you've been sending. My heart just fills with the Spirit when I read the scriptures you send me.
I'm so grateful for the love you have for the gospel and for the dedication you have for the work. I think it's awesome that you are so sensitive to the Spirit and I really admire that. I'm grateful for all that you teach me; like the mothers who taught their 2,000 stripling warriors. Being here on my mission, thus far has been great.
I know that by the whisperings of the Spirit the Lord will be there for me and for you. I know that whatever trials we may have the Lord will lift us up. 2 NE. 4:20 "My God hath been my support" and seeing you throughout the years I know that the Lord will support you. Thank you for teaching me righteous principles and know that by the Spirit that I will be safe.
Thank you for that hymn #98. Earlier that day I felt the Spirit wanted me to listen to it, even before I got your letter. I know that you felt the Spirit or that wouldn't have happened. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Thank you for being on the straight and narrow path. I love you always!
Elder Nicholas Richards
Hymn #29 ALL VERSES!
Email from Nick on Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dad!
My mission president is AWESOME. He and his family treat us missionaries as their own kids - so it's nice! I'm so glad that you write me Dad! I think of Moroni and his relationship he had with his Dad! I look so forward to your letters and emails!
I'm so STOKED that Jacob Klumker is finished with his papers! That's so cool! He's going to LOVE it!
My trainer is nice; his name is Elder Quentin Wright and he's from the tri-cities area in Washington. Our bishop here says "it's as common as a 3 dollar bill" - ha! ha! Pretty rare! Well, I wish I could write more meaningful emails but I'm working on the letter part - so I'll be sending you more of my adventures soon.
For now we are teaching some baptist preachers and an English Major professor - who's questions are all over the place!
The food here is normal but all the shops are different. Ha! ha! I'm serving in the Midlothian area and hopeing you mark on the map where I'm at and then I'll send you pictures. This place has more trees than Washington and all the people are pretty nice for the most part. I'm just freezing though at night!
Be sure to send me your mission stories and successes - the more the better!
:-) Well, I'm going to write the girls!
I love you Dad, remember that! I'm always thinking of you daily.
Your son,
Nick Richards
Hi Mom!
Well, I'm serving in the Midlothian ward area next to the mission office; so that's where all the mail will go, so just use that address. : ) I think it is so good that you're having events over at the house! The more service the more blessings!
My trainer is great! He's 19 and he's been out 8 months. His name is Elder Wright and he's great and the people here are really nice too! Last night the rain froze and almost all of the cars were frozen - LOL! - but it's nice out here!
I'm always looking for letters of mission stories, inspiration and hope and just good stuff that's happening at home! I haven't heard from Laura or Amanda. I really miss them and am thinking about ALL of you everyday! I'm in a car area driving a chevy malibu. It's pretty cold here! The roads here are really messed up even more than Washington.
The AP's are really nice and my mission president is like a dad and his family is really nice too! He's AWESOME! He really will help me on my mission! He's open to the Spirit very much!! So it's good!
I really love you mom! Tell Chelsea Stine in the single's branch that I said hi! I really don't have time to write a bunch of letters alot! Sorry and please be sure to remember my name in the temple.
I always think of you and dad and the whole family so much. I love you!
Your son
Nick Richards
My mission president is AWESOME. He and his family treat us missionaries as their own kids - so it's nice! I'm so glad that you write me Dad! I think of Moroni and his relationship he had with his Dad! I look so forward to your letters and emails!
I'm so STOKED that Jacob Klumker is finished with his papers! That's so cool! He's going to LOVE it!
My trainer is nice; his name is Elder Quentin Wright and he's from the tri-cities area in Washington. Our bishop here says "it's as common as a 3 dollar bill" - ha! ha! Pretty rare! Well, I wish I could write more meaningful emails but I'm working on the letter part - so I'll be sending you more of my adventures soon.
For now we are teaching some baptist preachers and an English Major professor - who's questions are all over the place!
The food here is normal but all the shops are different. Ha! ha! I'm serving in the Midlothian area and hopeing you mark on the map where I'm at and then I'll send you pictures. This place has more trees than Washington and all the people are pretty nice for the most part. I'm just freezing though at night!
Be sure to send me your mission stories and successes - the more the better!
:-) Well, I'm going to write the girls!
I love you Dad, remember that! I'm always thinking of you daily.
Your son,
Nick Richards
Hi Mom!
Well, I'm serving in the Midlothian ward area next to the mission office; so that's where all the mail will go, so just use that address. : ) I think it is so good that you're having events over at the house! The more service the more blessings!
My trainer is great! He's 19 and he's been out 8 months. His name is Elder Wright and he's great and the people here are really nice too! Last night the rain froze and almost all of the cars were frozen - LOL! - but it's nice out here!
I'm always looking for letters of mission stories, inspiration and hope and just good stuff that's happening at home! I haven't heard from Laura or Amanda. I really miss them and am thinking about ALL of you everyday! I'm in a car area driving a chevy malibu. It's pretty cold here! The roads here are really messed up even more than Washington.
The AP's are really nice and my mission president is like a dad and his family is really nice too! He's AWESOME! He really will help me on my mission! He's open to the Spirit very much!! So it's good!
I really love you mom! Tell Chelsea Stine in the single's branch that I said hi! I really don't have time to write a bunch of letters alot! Sorry and please be sure to remember my name in the temple.
I always think of you and dad and the whole family so much. I love you!
Your son
Nick Richards
Week of January 24th - Lots of news this week!
We've received lots of mail and news this week! We received a letter from Nick's mission president Pres. James Perry. The picture below was taken after getting up at 3:00 a.m. MST earlier that day. It had been a long day - plus flying on 2 airplanes - which was also a NEW experience for him. I was lucky enough to be home when he called from the Detroit airport where they had their layover.
Picture was taken on 12 Jan. 2011 after Elder Richards arrived at the Mission Home.
In his letter from the Mission home he writes:
Hey Mom and Dad! I'm here in Richmond, Virginia and it kind of looks like Washington. My mission president is really nice. I've got a little bit of jet lag; but other than that I'm O.K....a little nervous so keep praying and send lots of letters.
I've been fed and the food is good. I love you and can't wait to hear from all of you. The letters help - they REALLY DO! :-) So keep praying for me and if you can, it would be nice for you to put my name in the Temple.
I really appreciate all the love from you both. If you could also pray for my companions too, so that things will run smooth.
Well I LOVE you all and like I said, don't hesitate to send more letters.
Your loving son and missionary
Elder Richards :-)
Monday, January 17, 2011
First Area!
Haven't heard from Elder Richards yet....but his mission home called to give us his new address. He is currently going to be serving in Richmond. His is the Midlothian Zone. His new companion's name is Elder Quentin Wright. Monday is their P-day but because it is a national holiday today she said they won't be able to get their mail until tomorrow or send emails until tomorrow!
As soon as we hear anything I'll be sure to post it on here!!
Susan :-)
As soon as we hear anything I'll be sure to post it on here!!
Susan :-)
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