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
Monday, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
His LAST Transfer!
Hello Everyone! 13 November 2012
Transfer calls came this last weekend. My companion is staying here in Glen Allen and I'm getting moved to Newport News, 3rd Branch. It is the smallest biking area in the Virginia Richmond Mission. I'll be with an Elder Orr, of whom I know since I was in Portsmouth. This last and final transfer is about 4 weeks long and I'm going to try to make it my best!
My new area is all in the ghetto, so pray for me that I'll be safe and protected. I'll need it and also pray that my (beloved) bike doesn't get stolen.
Since that call, things have been getting better. We're getting ready for my departure and I'm hoping it's a quick one. (Like ripping off that band-aid!) I just want to get it over with.
Heather, the lady who called you the other day is a potential investigator. She didn't have a Book of Mormon and I didn't have a spare copy to give away, so I just gave her my small military set. Hopefully, she'll read it!
Dad - when the bike arrives, it doesn't have the chain and the front break doesn't work. I'll fix that when I get home. I am excited to ride with you when I get home though...and I hope you are feeling better today from your cold. Bundle up and sleep lots! It's all Good!
Today on the way to the library, it's pouring down rain, so right now I'm a little wet, but it's all good! I'll dry out soon.
It's been exciting to hear about the new software the church is using for family search and I can't wait to get into all the genealogy stuff when I get home. Last week we went to our ward genealogy center and helped a few people out with the computers. I also got a nice lesson on how hard it is to get research done.
My finances are doing ok and so is my bike right now. Also, I want to make sure that I'll be running on the ground as soon as I get home. I was wondering if y'all scheduled a time with the stake president for my release yet.
Things are going good right now. We'll be checking in with Vince and Kay tonight and see how things are going. Since our last lesson, they were more involved, so that was great!
Well, that's all I can think of for now.
I love you all and thanks for your expression of love. It makes me emotional everytime I read about your love for me and for others.
Tell everyone I said 'hi' and "It's all good."
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
P.S.
Elder Richards also sent a link to the following video for me and his 3 sisters! What a great son and brother! He's the best!
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#daughters-of-god
Enjoy!
Transfer calls came this last weekend. My companion is staying here in Glen Allen and I'm getting moved to Newport News, 3rd Branch. It is the smallest biking area in the Virginia Richmond Mission. I'll be with an Elder Orr, of whom I know since I was in Portsmouth. This last and final transfer is about 4 weeks long and I'm going to try to make it my best!
My new area is all in the ghetto, so pray for me that I'll be safe and protected. I'll need it and also pray that my (beloved) bike doesn't get stolen.
Since that call, things have been getting better. We're getting ready for my departure and I'm hoping it's a quick one. (Like ripping off that band-aid!) I just want to get it over with.
Heather, the lady who called you the other day is a potential investigator. She didn't have a Book of Mormon and I didn't have a spare copy to give away, so I just gave her my small military set. Hopefully, she'll read it!
Dad - when the bike arrives, it doesn't have the chain and the front break doesn't work. I'll fix that when I get home. I am excited to ride with you when I get home though...and I hope you are feeling better today from your cold. Bundle up and sleep lots! It's all Good!
Today on the way to the library, it's pouring down rain, so right now I'm a little wet, but it's all good! I'll dry out soon.
It's been exciting to hear about the new software the church is using for family search and I can't wait to get into all the genealogy stuff when I get home. Last week we went to our ward genealogy center and helped a few people out with the computers. I also got a nice lesson on how hard it is to get research done.
My finances are doing ok and so is my bike right now. Also, I want to make sure that I'll be running on the ground as soon as I get home. I was wondering if y'all scheduled a time with the stake president for my release yet.
Things are going good right now. We'll be checking in with Vince and Kay tonight and see how things are going. Since our last lesson, they were more involved, so that was great!
Well, that's all I can think of for now.
I love you all and thanks for your expression of love. It makes me emotional everytime I read about your love for me and for others.
Tell everyone I said 'hi' and "It's all good."
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
P.S.
Elder Richards also sent a link to the following video for me and his 3 sisters! What a great son and brother! He's the best!
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#daughters-of-god
Enjoy!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Happy Birthday Dad!....The past week!!
Hi Family! 5 November 2012
This past week has been full of things we are doing!!! The person who is set for baptism is Pam. She's really stoked to be learning more and recently she was rushed to the hospital. We went and gave her a blessing and she said "I just love that Light and Tingle I feel". She came out the next day and is feeling much better.
We had another non-member come to church yesterday and our Gospel Principles class was FULL TO THE BRIM! It was also nice to get to see everyone at church too. One of our investigators has been looking for something better in her life. She's come to the right place. She lives next to some members just a street away and they are really involved in her progress.
This week we're teaching Pam tomorrow and we're also teaching Vince and Kay! They called us last week and (asked to see more of the blessings of the gospel brought into their lives); so we're looking forward to (sharing more with them).
Last night we ate at a non-members house. The couple are Catholic and are ROMNEY supporters!!!! They have seen us ride past their house often and invited us in last night! We enjoyed meeting with them and hearing all sorts of great stories. It was great to know that there are always people that support us in our efforts and who care for us also.
Recently, my bike has been doing well. I'm getting ready this Wednesday to ship the 'Diamond Back' bike to you there in Washington. I'll let you know when it's going to get there....!
Today our beds are going to be thrown out and we're getting air beds giving the bedbugs NO PLACE TO HIDE!! We're going to be getting some (diatanatious earth ??) to sprinkle around our room to kill the remaining bedbugs.
Transfer calls are also this weekend and then transfers will be next Thursday. I don't know if I'll be staying or going; but I hope to be staying. But...if I get moved then it's all good! :-)
Well I'm going to finish for now.
I LOVE you all and thank you for all the pics and the replys!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
This past week has been full of things we are doing!!! The person who is set for baptism is Pam. She's really stoked to be learning more and recently she was rushed to the hospital. We went and gave her a blessing and she said "I just love that Light and Tingle I feel". She came out the next day and is feeling much better.
We had another non-member come to church yesterday and our Gospel Principles class was FULL TO THE BRIM! It was also nice to get to see everyone at church too. One of our investigators has been looking for something better in her life. She's come to the right place. She lives next to some members just a street away and they are really involved in her progress.
This week we're teaching Pam tomorrow and we're also teaching Vince and Kay! They called us last week and (asked to see more of the blessings of the gospel brought into their lives); so we're looking forward to (sharing more with them).
Last night we ate at a non-members house. The couple are Catholic and are ROMNEY supporters!!!! They have seen us ride past their house often and invited us in last night! We enjoyed meeting with them and hearing all sorts of great stories. It was great to know that there are always people that support us in our efforts and who care for us also.
Recently, my bike has been doing well. I'm getting ready this Wednesday to ship the 'Diamond Back' bike to you there in Washington. I'll let you know when it's going to get there....!
Today our beds are going to be thrown out and we're getting air beds giving the bedbugs NO PLACE TO HIDE!! We're going to be getting some (diatanatious earth ??) to sprinkle around our room to kill the remaining bedbugs.
Transfer calls are also this weekend and then transfers will be next Thursday. I don't know if I'll be staying or going; but I hope to be staying. But...if I get moved then it's all good! :-)
Well I'm going to finish for now.
I LOVE you all and thank you for all the pics and the replys!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Happy Halloween!
Hey Everyone! 30 October 2012
So this last week was rough! We're struggling with issues as missionaries but we've recovered. Hopefully, we're going to have a great rest of the transfer.
In the past 9 days we've had some good success. We have an investigator set for baptism on November 24th and she's reading every church book she can find. She's read The Book of Mormon several times and is half way through it again! We'll be going back to teach her tomorrow and we're going to be teaching 2 investigators tonight and a 3rd with his family.
So it's a bit busy now....IT'S ALL GOOD!...and hopefully we are getting somewhere with all of our other investigators. The hurricane isn't as bad this year as it was for me last year. Our power is still on and our area hasn't been hit seriously. We do, however, have a TON of leaves all over the place.
As far as the bike goes...I've talked to my zone leaders today and they're going to take the bike to the office next Wednesday. I'll be calling them alot to make sure they don't forget. Hahaha!
I hope your eye will be doing good mom. It'll be nice to see you after 2 years. Everybody looks a little different than when I left. Right now Elder Jensen is riding a different bike in downtown Richmond, which is in our district. He just had a b-day yesterday and he seems to be doing well! (He's an Elder that was with E. Richards in the MTC and also they were companions together earlier this last year. It is his bike that is being sent to us for Don!) Of course, the Richmond Branch is a bike area and I'm sure he's freezing like me also. Hahahaha! He does go home the same day I do; but he has to take a placement test early so he may go home 2 weeks early to do that and to get ready for school.
It's been super cold today on bike and my jaw at the joint gets painfully cold.....but it's all good! I'll have to get something to cover that up while I'm riding. As the weather get's colder we seem to be more and more covered up on our bikes and eventually we look like Ninjas once our mouths are covered with our scarves! Hahaha! Sometimes we surprise the drivers and some of the people that are out and about....:-) I'll have to take some pictures of us when we are covered up. I did get some good biking winter gloves yesterday, as the senior missionaries gave us a ride and they work GREAT! (Have to LOVE the Senior missionaries!) My hands are very happy! Just imagine the cold weather back home and try biking in it, as long as the roads aren't frozen....but...really....don't try it! My mobility on bike with everything on is very limited! Hahahaha! It's all good!
I hope everything is going well and that everyone is safe. I hope that Uncle Bill is doing well. I haven't heard from him yet...but I
hope to.
It's sooo good to hear about our ward back home - fellowshipping all the new converts. That's how it's suppose to be. That lifts me up hearing about all the success going on.
I hope the whole family is doing well and here's my scripture to y'all:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-declares-i-am-the-light-of-the-world-the-truth-shall-make-you-free?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation/our-eternal-life/video?lang=eng
I LOVE you all! Take good care!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
P.S. Here are a couple more videos....Enjoy!
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&start=13&end=24#2012-01-001-power-of-god
http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/testing-revelation?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation/our-eternal-life/video?lang=eng
So this last week was rough! We're struggling with issues as missionaries but we've recovered. Hopefully, we're going to have a great rest of the transfer.
In the past 9 days we've had some good success. We have an investigator set for baptism on November 24th and she's reading every church book she can find. She's read The Book of Mormon several times and is half way through it again! We'll be going back to teach her tomorrow and we're going to be teaching 2 investigators tonight and a 3rd with his family.
So it's a bit busy now....IT'S ALL GOOD!...and hopefully we are getting somewhere with all of our other investigators. The hurricane isn't as bad this year as it was for me last year. Our power is still on and our area hasn't been hit seriously. We do, however, have a TON of leaves all over the place.
As far as the bike goes...I've talked to my zone leaders today and they're going to take the bike to the office next Wednesday. I'll be calling them alot to make sure they don't forget. Hahaha!
I hope your eye will be doing good mom. It'll be nice to see you after 2 years. Everybody looks a little different than when I left. Right now Elder Jensen is riding a different bike in downtown Richmond, which is in our district. He just had a b-day yesterday and he seems to be doing well! (He's an Elder that was with E. Richards in the MTC and also they were companions together earlier this last year. It is his bike that is being sent to us for Don!) Of course, the Richmond Branch is a bike area and I'm sure he's freezing like me also. Hahahaha! He does go home the same day I do; but he has to take a placement test early so he may go home 2 weeks early to do that and to get ready for school.
It's been super cold today on bike and my jaw at the joint gets painfully cold.....but it's all good! I'll have to get something to cover that up while I'm riding. As the weather get's colder we seem to be more and more covered up on our bikes and eventually we look like Ninjas once our mouths are covered with our scarves! Hahaha! Sometimes we surprise the drivers and some of the people that are out and about....:-) I'll have to take some pictures of us when we are covered up. I did get some good biking winter gloves yesterday, as the senior missionaries gave us a ride and they work GREAT! (Have to LOVE the Senior missionaries!) My hands are very happy! Just imagine the cold weather back home and try biking in it, as long as the roads aren't frozen....but...really....don't try it! My mobility on bike with everything on is very limited! Hahahaha! It's all good!
I hope everything is going well and that everyone is safe. I hope that Uncle Bill is doing well. I haven't heard from him yet...but I
hope to.
It's sooo good to hear about our ward back home - fellowshipping all the new converts. That's how it's suppose to be. That lifts me up hearing about all the success going on.
I hope the whole family is doing well and here's my scripture to y'all:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-declares-i-am-the-light-of-the-world-the-truth-shall-make-you-free?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation/our-eternal-life/video?lang=eng
I LOVE you all! Take good care!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
P.S. Here are a couple more videos....Enjoy!
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&start=13&end=24#2012-01-001-power-of-god
http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/testing-revelation?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation/our-eternal-life/video?lang=eng
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Another Good Week!
Hey Everyone! 22 Oct. 2012
So our week has gone very well......with it's ups and downs.....rough but good. We had interviews, so it was nice to speak to President Perry. He's one person I have on my list of people who has and will always shape my life forever. Since interviews....things have gotten better.
Lately, our mission is piloting a new program called 'Walk and Talk.' Other missions have found much success with it and here we're going to be trying it. It's on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. All car and bike missionaries walk around parts of their areas and talk to everyone they see.
Also we have been briefed on the progress of the church.
* The term 'Mormon' is searched more than pornography on google
* Colleges are scrambling to find students
* One week after the General Conference address, 10,000 perspective missionaries met with their Bishops to start their missions.
*14 million members in the church. The church now has the infrastructure to get to 50 million overnight.
* The age for missionaries has decreased.
The Lord is hastening his work and this dispensation is the time to show the Lord "Yea Lord, I do LOVE Thee".
Thanks for all the support that y'all have given me. Your right! My mission is the planning for the rest of my life. This morning I studied Preach My Gospel, chapter 4 and at the end of the chapter there are some quotes by Presidents of the Church about missionary work. The great thing is that it doesn't mention anything about full time service. Instead it's a service for the rest of our lives. Once we are baptized we are devoted to the work. We are the Lord's disciples from the beginning to the end. I'm ready to serve in the mission of life and I can't wait to serve with everything I've got.
So I've made a list of all the things to do when I get back. I've been keeping that list since Norfolk. Any ideas y'all can give me would be GREAT! Just write it down as it comes. I keep my list in my front pocket with me everywhere I go and as ideas come I write them down. Elder Scott has given some wonderful talks about revelation in recent General Conferences.
So I hope all is well. Things here are going well. We're working hard with those new ideas. In regards to how things are going with me and my companion....we're doing alright. We love to talk openly with each other and the added input is great! It's nice.
I hope everything is going great for y'all this week and I really bope everything is going well with your eye Mom.
I love you all!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
So our week has gone very well......with it's ups and downs.....rough but good. We had interviews, so it was nice to speak to President Perry. He's one person I have on my list of people who has and will always shape my life forever. Since interviews....things have gotten better.
Lately, our mission is piloting a new program called 'Walk and Talk.' Other missions have found much success with it and here we're going to be trying it. It's on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. All car and bike missionaries walk around parts of their areas and talk to everyone they see.
Also we have been briefed on the progress of the church.
* The term 'Mormon' is searched more than pornography on google
* Colleges are scrambling to find students
* One week after the General Conference address, 10,000 perspective missionaries met with their Bishops to start their missions.
*14 million members in the church. The church now has the infrastructure to get to 50 million overnight.
* The age for missionaries has decreased.
The Lord is hastening his work and this dispensation is the time to show the Lord "Yea Lord, I do LOVE Thee".
Thanks for all the support that y'all have given me. Your right! My mission is the planning for the rest of my life. This morning I studied Preach My Gospel, chapter 4 and at the end of the chapter there are some quotes by Presidents of the Church about missionary work. The great thing is that it doesn't mention anything about full time service. Instead it's a service for the rest of our lives. Once we are baptized we are devoted to the work. We are the Lord's disciples from the beginning to the end. I'm ready to serve in the mission of life and I can't wait to serve with everything I've got.
So I've made a list of all the things to do when I get back. I've been keeping that list since Norfolk. Any ideas y'all can give me would be GREAT! Just write it down as it comes. I keep my list in my front pocket with me everywhere I go and as ideas come I write them down. Elder Scott has given some wonderful talks about revelation in recent General Conferences.
So I hope all is well. Things here are going well. We're working hard with those new ideas. In regards to how things are going with me and my companion....we're doing alright. We love to talk openly with each other and the added input is great! It's nice.
I hope everything is going great for y'all this week and I really bope everything is going well with your eye Mom.
I love you all!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Thursday, October 18, 2012
A New Week....A New Day!
 |
| THE MAN! |
 |
| Nick's Companion |
Thanks Mom and Dad for your e-mails! I really needed them today..(More on that in a sec).
So it's GREAT hearing that Alex Mallory is serving a mission! You know, I was just thinking about him yesterday and the conversations we used to have in the car when I gave him rides to places. I was hoping that he would serve a mission. That's Awesome!
That's great to hear that it finally started raining in Washington. From what you said Mom, I can just see Dad jumping around and clicking his heels in the air. Like a Welshman. Haha. Thanks for the thought.
It's also good to hear that the Family History class is getting more populated lately. I hope to immerse myself in helping y'all when I get back.
I think that Family history work is just one activity of many to give us hope and to eventually help us see who we really are, our true identity. So I can't wait to learn more. Plus, I've been making a list of things to get involved in - in different areas of life, to stay productive. Family History is one of them.
Mom: I hope you have someone driving you to the eye doctor. It reminds me of when I went to the doctor with Josh Brazil to get his lasik eye surgery. I watched intently at the monitor as the process was taking place. On the car ride home he fell asleep like a light bulb. Haha! So I just turned the radio down and drove smoothly so he could get his rest. So in other words....Be safe Mom. I love you! :-)
Well dad: on your birthday...I hope you enjoy the little things in life.I'm sure as you remember on your mission. Here on my b-day things are busy to say the least but it's nice to stop and think about the things I'm grateful for. Like a nice bed and a good pillow to rest my head, a good book to read (approved missionary literature) :-), food and a working bike. Bur most importantly Family! Good news from home and people to share my thoughts with. No matter the distance and the way to communicate.
I hope you enjoy your birthday Dad. I will celebrate with you, plus I'll mark my calendar as that also being the day you escorted me through the Temple.....And I will ALWAYS remember that! I love you dad! Thanks for being good to us kids and to mom! :-)
I'll get the bike here as soon as I can, and a box and get all the measurements to you soon!!!
Tell Steve Fine I said "hello" and am expecting to have a good visit with him. He's awesome! I'm grateful he put up with my lazy personality at the time haha!
You know Mom the scripture you sent is similar to the study I had today and I included it in my notes. On how to better myself as an individual. I like how often we find ourselves studying the same things at the same time..
I hope to vote this year. But now I'm registered to vote in Virginia. My residency was cancelled in Washington....but I got on the ball and I'm hoping to vote really soon! :-)
So this last week wasn't very productive at all. In fact the opposite of success. However, the good that came out of it was we did talk to some wonderful women who were asking about Mitt Romney and what he believed. As you can imagine we only spoke about religion. Haha!
All of our investigators aren't progressing or we don't hear from them. Some just want us to 'hang out'; but I'm not having it! I didn't just come out here to "hang out"! So we're working on improving things here and trying to get things going. PLUS on the bright side, our ward members are asking for supplies to share the gospel and our exchange calendar is full for October. AND we're getting fed! Haha!
So in other words....it's ALL GOOD! I remember what the Savior told Peter, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." And now he does that even for all of us!
Family: I love you all and look to your happiness and love and support. I hope to hear all the good news that comes this week to all of you and all the fun adventures you're all having.
P.S. Dad...I'm saving my e-mails after my mission so I can remember all the references you made to yours...:-)
 |
| Another Beautiful sky from Virginia! |
Love you all!
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
New Update!
Hey Family, 9 October 2012
Thanks for the recent news. Yeah, the hills in Glen Allen are really large and very gradual as you make your way towards Richmond. If your driving on Monument Ave. one of the hills we go down is on a road called "Glenside Dr." It's near where Glenside meets Forest Ave.
This week has been interesting. It's been really slow with investigators - almost none. As it has started getting cold - I realized that I forgot my gloves and earmuffs in Norfolk; so I got some gloves at the store but I'm still looking for something to cover my ears.
Conference was EPIC! I loved all the talks given in Conference. As I've gotten older I have gone from 'falling asleep' to 'looking at the screen and taking notes as fast as I can'. Haha!
The talk from Elder Holland was 90% the same from when he addressed us in the MTC. One missionary made the comment that he started us with the talk and now was finishing it with his Conference talk. Haha! I loved that talk! It's one of my favorites! How he reminds us that those who have served missions need to know the importance of staying active in the church and remaining true to our covenants when we have already started our journey to follow the Savior. I LOVED the line that says "DID YOU LOVE ME" picturing in my mind standing at the judgement bar and God saying that to me! When we were in the MTC Elder Holland said.....in my own words...quote "DO YOU LOVE HIM?"......once you follow him you can never go back...not to your old life. Since then I have always remembered that. That has always been with me and I hope and have planned to stay true to it.
As far as this week is going, it's still slow but we're working on it. Hopefully, we can get more people this week. I hope we can find those who are seeking the truth or those who want to improve their life.
My bike is doing good. Everything seems to be working well and my jacket, as with everything is holding up okay. I might need some new slacks when I get back.....but it's all good! I don't have any holes in them yet.
Here are pictures of the bike I'm sending to dad:
I hope y'all have a great week.
I love y'all.
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
 |
| Elders in Glen Allen, VA |
This week has been interesting. It's been really slow with investigators - almost none. As it has started getting cold - I realized that I forgot my gloves and earmuffs in Norfolk; so I got some gloves at the store but I'm still looking for something to cover my ears.
Conference was EPIC! I loved all the talks given in Conference. As I've gotten older I have gone from 'falling asleep' to 'looking at the screen and taking notes as fast as I can'. Haha!
The talk from Elder Holland was 90% the same from when he addressed us in the MTC. One missionary made the comment that he started us with the talk and now was finishing it with his Conference talk. Haha! I loved that talk! It's one of my favorites! How he reminds us that those who have served missions need to know the importance of staying active in the church and remaining true to our covenants when we have already started our journey to follow the Savior. I LOVED the line that says "DID YOU LOVE ME" picturing in my mind standing at the judgement bar and God saying that to me! When we were in the MTC Elder Holland said.....in my own words...quote "DO YOU LOVE HIM?"......once you follow him you can never go back...not to your old life. Since then I have always remembered that. That has always been with me and I hope and have planned to stay true to it.
As far as this week is going, it's still slow but we're working on it. Hopefully, we can get more people this week. I hope we can find those who are seeking the truth or those who want to improve their life.
 |
| Loaded up! |
My bike is doing good. Everything seems to be working well and my jacket, as with everything is holding up okay. I might need some new slacks when I get back.....but it's all good! I don't have any holes in them yet.
Here are pictures of the bike I'm sending to dad:
I love y'all.
Elder Richards
Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)