Hey Everyone! 14 March 2011
Thanks for all the letters, cards/mail y'all have sent over the past weeks and months! It's DEFINITELY nice to get mail when your down in the mission, so thanks for all the good stuff!
Life since I've been transferred has been good. A little quiet, but good. Here in Wakefield we're surrounded by lots of farmland and animals. The loudest things which come through town are the semi's and the trains - of which we live just 3-4 buildings away from the tracks. It's nice though; the sound puts me to sleep at night. The people here are really nice. Some like to sit out on the porch and talk; others will talk to us in the fast food restaurants and others while we're walking and they all have questions about the bible. We tell them we have the answers and an "expansion pack" to the bible. Here we really have to simplify the gospel and really define each principal in every lesson. So it's all good! :D
My companion is really cool! He's from Oregon and loves the Oregon ducks! He is very humble and teachable. I take criticism when he gives it and work out how to fix things and try to refine my characteristics of missionary work; and I do the same for him. We work great together, talk about doctrine, life, sports, things like that while we're walking all around the town of Waverly.
The good places here in town are the Virginia Diner and La Hacienda; the train and the weather (because Virginia gets it's weather readings from Wakefield/Waverly, so it's really quiet here--ha! ha!)
Our branch is really small and nice and our branch president is really awesome; very sarcastic and gives us GOOD work to do. The members span from all walks of life, so we really get to use our teaching skills - to test and improve their faith.
Just recently I was on exchanges in Petersburg with an Elder White and he asked me how I was doing in my area and I asked him the same. He mentioned how large a majority of the balance of white and African American in Virginia is. In my area it's 64% african american to 36% white and much more in Petersburg. When I was up there we were in the ghetto and always having people looking at us and calling us the "Jesus People"; so it's always fun and exciting where I'm headed in Virginia.
The phrases people say are great: "Jesus people "y'all have a blessed day".
Some words are very different too, such as: sink=zink, struggling=skrugglin, ask=ax, Mormon's=normon's. So I'm skrugglin to keep up the understanding of the language here. Ha! ha! but it's all good!
We haven't run into any violence yet or anything. The closest to that are all the deer (40+) in all the fields here at night when we're driving back home. It's a sight to see a herd like that.
Well, hope to hear from y'all soon!
Elder Richards
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Latest News from our Missionary
Hey Mom and Dad,
Thank you for the emails. It's also nice to hear from you after my MP3 player reset ALL of my content! So all my music and family and friends pictures are GONE! So the only ones I have are the few you sent me and the few that are in my camera. If you could get some pictures of everyone soon and send them to me. It really just downed my mood after I accidentally reset my zune. ;-(
I'm staying warm and the socks are doing great! Sorry I can't send pictures today but I'll remind myself for next week for pictures! As for the bike stuff, I don't need a helmet and any equipment other than a rear fender because when I was riding in the rain on a dirt trail I had a nice brown streak of mud in a certain place on my pants. I just joked around with it to the other missionaries....ha! ha!
As far as packages go....I feel like I'm going to get all my teeth ripped out really soon because EVERYBODY sends candy to their missionaries. We have candy circulating around the areas of the mission from all the missionaries because we can't eat all the candy. It was interesting to find a nice giant bowl of candy when I came to Wakefield...ha! ha!
Other than the drama at church (last Sunday)....we had a recent convert bear his testimony which was awesome! He said "when you are going through hard times and Jesus comes to help, because you need it, your not going to like it, oh no, your not going to like it....YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT!" It was a bit surprising to see/hear him yell in the microphone in such a small building but it was EPIC!! Some people here, when they say goodbye, they say 'y'all have a blessed day now" and sometimes they will say stuff like "THANK YOU JESUS".
Other interesting stuff that happened this week was when we were in a prayer circle; they (people) just brought us inside their house to have a random prayer circle and this woman, who was totally drunk, was like shaking my hand - almost like she was trying to yank my arm out of my socket. I have to say that the south is one interesting place!
Also the rain here is CRAZY! We had to run to our car (15 ft. away) from a house we were at and I LITERALLY took a shower! All I needed was a bar of soap and I would have been clean...ha!ha!
What a lot of churches do here - is that one preacher will own anywhere between 4-8 churches in the area (i.e. from Richmond to Wakefield) and what the preachers will do is meet at one location and discuss the financial income from all of the 8 churches. They will discuss whether to close a church down based on how much money the members give to the preacher of that church. Sometimes they will just preach a sermon to the congregation on how they need to give them (preacher)more money. The way I see it (just my opinion) it kind of looks like they are controlling people's money based on their belief in Jesus Christ - all for the sake of money. That's some crazy stuff to me. 1 Nephi 13 really puts it into place as to what he (Nephi) saw in the latter days - and this is only a little bit of what is going on - so the Book of Mormon is true!!!!!!
I hope everything is going well - I pray for y'all every day! I hope all the computer stuff is going well and that there are no problems with anything. I'll be looking forward to all your letters and emails from y'all and friends.
Love y'all,
Elder Richards ;-)
P.S. Tell my friends that I'll send letters and email too, but it will take me some time. I'm trying, but we're busy! I haven't forgotten them. ;-)
Thank you for the emails. It's also nice to hear from you after my MP3 player reset ALL of my content! So all my music and family and friends pictures are GONE! So the only ones I have are the few you sent me and the few that are in my camera. If you could get some pictures of everyone soon and send them to me. It really just downed my mood after I accidentally reset my zune. ;-(
I'm staying warm and the socks are doing great! Sorry I can't send pictures today but I'll remind myself for next week for pictures! As for the bike stuff, I don't need a helmet and any equipment other than a rear fender because when I was riding in the rain on a dirt trail I had a nice brown streak of mud in a certain place on my pants. I just joked around with it to the other missionaries....ha! ha!
As far as packages go....I feel like I'm going to get all my teeth ripped out really soon because EVERYBODY sends candy to their missionaries. We have candy circulating around the areas of the mission from all the missionaries because we can't eat all the candy. It was interesting to find a nice giant bowl of candy when I came to Wakefield...ha! ha!
Other than the drama at church (last Sunday)....we had a recent convert bear his testimony which was awesome! He said "when you are going through hard times and Jesus comes to help, because you need it, your not going to like it, oh no, your not going to like it....YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT!" It was a bit surprising to see/hear him yell in the microphone in such a small building but it was EPIC!! Some people here, when they say goodbye, they say 'y'all have a blessed day now" and sometimes they will say stuff like "THANK YOU JESUS".
Other interesting stuff that happened this week was when we were in a prayer circle; they (people) just brought us inside their house to have a random prayer circle and this woman, who was totally drunk, was like shaking my hand - almost like she was trying to yank my arm out of my socket. I have to say that the south is one interesting place!
Also the rain here is CRAZY! We had to run to our car (15 ft. away) from a house we were at and I LITERALLY took a shower! All I needed was a bar of soap and I would have been clean...ha!ha!
What a lot of churches do here - is that one preacher will own anywhere between 4-8 churches in the area (i.e. from Richmond to Wakefield) and what the preachers will do is meet at one location and discuss the financial income from all of the 8 churches. They will discuss whether to close a church down based on how much money the members give to the preacher of that church. Sometimes they will just preach a sermon to the congregation on how they need to give them (preacher)more money. The way I see it (just my opinion) it kind of looks like they are controlling people's money based on their belief in Jesus Christ - all for the sake of money. That's some crazy stuff to me. 1 Nephi 13 really puts it into place as to what he (Nephi) saw in the latter days - and this is only a little bit of what is going on - so the Book of Mormon is true!!!!!!
I hope everything is going well - I pray for y'all every day! I hope all the computer stuff is going well and that there are no problems with anything. I'll be looking forward to all your letters and emails from y'all and friends.
Love y'all,
Elder Richards ;-)
P.S. Tell my friends that I'll send letters and email too, but it will take me some time. I'm trying, but we're busy! I haven't forgotten them. ;-)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
First Week in Wakefield!
Hey Family!
So my 1st Sunday here was interesting!
We had a lady in Sacrament meeting pass out. People were busy calling the ambulance! As if that weren't enough - we had a person who 'opposed' someone else who was called to a new calling and they walked out and slammed the door! Then later in Gospel Principles class another member was totally not being cool....they didn't think a brother in the ward was worthy to be baptized. It was wierd! My companion, Elder Christensen was ready to rebuke him and we had another member almost leave the Church. It was a crazy first Sunday. It reminded me of high school drama!
I pray that everyone is safe and doing well. I'm doing ok! My companion is great! Really nice - really humble. So I've got a good opportunity to improve a lot!
Well, I think that's about it for this exciting week.
I love you all ! Isaiah 6:6-10 - Hymn #2 and the song "We'll bring the world His truth".
Elder Richards ;-)
So my 1st Sunday here was interesting!
We had a lady in Sacrament meeting pass out. People were busy calling the ambulance! As if that weren't enough - we had a person who 'opposed' someone else who was called to a new calling and they walked out and slammed the door! Then later in Gospel Principles class another member was totally not being cool....they didn't think a brother in the ward was worthy to be baptized. It was wierd! My companion, Elder Christensen was ready to rebuke him and we had another member almost leave the Church. It was a crazy first Sunday. It reminded me of high school drama!
I pray that everyone is safe and doing well. I'm doing ok! My companion is great! Really nice - really humble. So I've got a good opportunity to improve a lot!
Well, I think that's about it for this exciting week.
I love you all ! Isaiah 6:6-10 - Hymn #2 and the song "We'll bring the world His truth".
Elder Richards ;-)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
February 28, 2011
Well, Nick did get transferred on his first transfer. He was transferred to Wakefield, Virginia. It is southeast of Richmond. It was a difficult experience for him, as he doesn't enjoy change very much. I guess he is kind of a home-body like me!! Here is what he says about being in his new area:
Things are going well. This week has been good and my new companion is AWESOME! (His name is Elder Christensen). He is super nice. He set out the rules and I listen and do! (Yeah for obedience!!) We both get along REALLY well and we joke with each other alot - so it's good. He's a GOOD missionary and I understand why President Perry sent me to him. I hope that I can do the work well and accomplish things. I'm trying to have better habits and want the work to progress here in Wakefield.
It's a really quiet town here except when the train goes by during the day and at night - while I'm in bed!!! The apartment is ok. It's a 100+ years old so there is tons of history here. It's good ! We just cleaned it today, except all the ants in the shower, so when I shower I try to stay on the other side of the bathtub. Ha! Ha! But it's not that bad!
Our area is 600 square miles; we're in a car and we've got bikes too. Our mailing address is: P.O. BOX 964 - Wakefield, VA 23888. Be sure to pass my new address along to the ward and the 5th branch.
Tell the Bipperts I said 'hi' and a big thanks for the single branch letters and the package they sent! The slippers they sent were too small for me so I exchanged with a missionary in Clover Hill by the name of Elder Pounder (who is amazing!) so we were all happy! :-) I'll try to send a letter to those who wrote me and such - but it is really hard to find the time to do so....(I guess it's good that he is busy doing the Lord's work!!)
Some crazy stuff happened my first Sunday here in Wakefield, but I'll write you those details! We've got work to do and oh - btw our branch here meets in an old Quaker's chapel that was bought by the Church. It's weird to have a church with stained glass windows everywhere and a basement that we use.
Well, I hope that all is well and that everything is okay. Be sure to tell Jay Jex, Jeffrey Jex, Natalie Broulot and Jeff Bates that I will write them soon and also Jacob Nuttall.
I love you all and your letters just really helped me here in Wakefield. THANK YOU SO MUCH - you're all AMAZING!
I love you and I hope that all will be well with you.
Your missionary, Elder Richards :-)
I too, would like to express my thanks to everyone that has taken the time to write to Nick on his mission. It has helped him tremendously. For him to go and be moved around a lot is a difficult thing for him - but a great learning experience. Again, Thanks! We love and appreciate all of you!
Don & Susan Richards :-)
Things are going well. This week has been good and my new companion is AWESOME! (His name is Elder Christensen). He is super nice. He set out the rules and I listen and do! (Yeah for obedience!!) We both get along REALLY well and we joke with each other alot - so it's good. He's a GOOD missionary and I understand why President Perry sent me to him. I hope that I can do the work well and accomplish things. I'm trying to have better habits and want the work to progress here in Wakefield.
It's a really quiet town here except when the train goes by during the day and at night - while I'm in bed!!! The apartment is ok. It's a 100+ years old so there is tons of history here. It's good ! We just cleaned it today, except all the ants in the shower, so when I shower I try to stay on the other side of the bathtub. Ha! Ha! But it's not that bad!
Our area is 600 square miles; we're in a car and we've got bikes too. Our mailing address is: P.O. BOX 964 - Wakefield, VA 23888. Be sure to pass my new address along to the ward and the 5th branch.
Tell the Bipperts I said 'hi' and a big thanks for the single branch letters and the package they sent! The slippers they sent were too small for me so I exchanged with a missionary in Clover Hill by the name of Elder Pounder (who is amazing!) so we were all happy! :-) I'll try to send a letter to those who wrote me and such - but it is really hard to find the time to do so....(I guess it's good that he is busy doing the Lord's work!!)
Some crazy stuff happened my first Sunday here in Wakefield, but I'll write you those details! We've got work to do and oh - btw our branch here meets in an old Quaker's chapel that was bought by the Church. It's weird to have a church with stained glass windows everywhere and a basement that we use.
Well, I hope that all is well and that everything is okay. Be sure to tell Jay Jex, Jeffrey Jex, Natalie Broulot and Jeff Bates that I will write them soon and also Jacob Nuttall.
I love you all and your letters just really helped me here in Wakefield. THANK YOU SO MUCH - you're all AMAZING!
I love you and I hope that all will be well with you.
Your missionary, Elder Richards :-)
I too, would like to express my thanks to everyone that has taken the time to write to Nick on his mission. It has helped him tremendously. For him to go and be moved around a lot is a difficult thing for him - but a great learning experience. Again, Thanks! We love and appreciate all of you!
Don & Susan Richards :-)
February 14, 2011
Hi Folks!
The other day I had an interesting experience teaching a member couple. Elder Wright and I were planning on teaching them about sacrifice and the benefits of it. As I was praying in my heart for my companion (during the lesson) the Spirit brought to my mind scriptures and a video from lds.org that I should share. Not really knowing why I should, I chose to switch gears on my companion and go with it. I also shared my testimony. The lesson went so much better and the members were very much more responsive. It was a great feeling to have the room filled with the Spirit.
We're also teaching this woman Gloria. Out of nowhere she asked if I was the missionary that had had a hard time in life before my mission. I said "Yes" and she wants me to speak to her son and give him some counsel as he is young and looking for a better way in life.
As we enter into people's homes they always seem to know that we are servants of the Lord. Even if they are not members, they call us "Jesus' people" - so it's interesting!
Transfers are in about 2 weeks and it's really hard for me to keep my cool because I'm really comfortable with my companion. If you would pray for me to change my mind-set that would sure help! I need to look at it as something exciting and not scary! I'm having a great time here in Virginia and with all my district too. We are really like a family and its going to be hard when we get transferred.
Dad - I'm glad things are going good for you with Ardex. It made me think of D&C 121: 44-45 where he talks how "blessings come down as the dews from heaven."
I hope to get some letters written to you this week because I'm having some awesome spiritual experiences; but if I can't - just know that the Spirit here has been like Isaiah's experience in Chapt. 6: 8 where he states "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." I feel that same way when I feel the Spirit - I have the desire to share to ALL THE WORLD!!!
Elder Richards includes a few more stories regarding the Midlothian Ward and area that he was in:
The other day Elder Wright and I were teaching a lesson to some members about testimonies. About half way into the lesson I got this feeling and thought I should bear my testimony to their son; who was just kind of watching around the room. It looked like he was confused about something. I felt that he was looking for something. So I looked at him as I bore my testimony, "I know that the simple questions that we have may seem pointless and useless, but I know by experience, as I have been lost before, that the only way I know for these questions to be answered is to cry to God about our problems. I know that as we pray to the Lord and if we are open-minded we will receive an answer. It may not come right away, but I know by experience that God knows us, He knows our names and who we are. I promise that these things are true, that the Church is true and I know that The Book of Mormon is the true word of God."
After we left, Elder Wright said, "Elder that was amazing! Their son needed to hear that." I said "What do you mean? I felt the Spirit needed me to speak to him and that the Spirit was very strong." Elder Wright explained that the son was inactive and he had some other serious problems (of which I won't write about) but he needed to hear that.
I don't always know why the Spirit does what it does, but I know that if we don't act on those things at that very moment then we will lose someone; and I can't stand anyone being lost in the world without the tools and the skills given by God so we can be a success.
I am learning every day to learn to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit and I'm growing every time I try.
Another experience I had with Elder Carpenter. We were teaching an investigator who only gets to see his family on the weekends because he is addicted to pain killers and cocaine. One thing that he said was that he didn't feel any hope and that he really needed help. I was again prompted to bear my testimony and after doing so, telling him that there is hope. He started to cry and we ended up giving him a blessing and then we went on our way.
Elder Wright and I were teaching a lesson to a less active girl and her non-member boyfriend. He asked for a Book of Mormon and then he gave the closing prayer, after we asked him to. It was interesting to see his reaction to the influence of the Spirit and how his member girlfriend was again interested in the church.
The more experiences I get the more I will write. It has been incredible to see that if people put their trust in the gospel the more they will be blessed because of it.
FYI the Midlothian Ward (my ward) has a few members and are ready to take in new members at all times. The fellowshipping is ready to happen but the new members are not coming yet. More interesting facts about those in our ward:
* A lot of our members know the people on Mormon.org
* The owner of ALL the Marriott hotels is in our ward!
Well, I love you both and be sure to say 'hi' to the family for me.
Love, Elder Richards
The other day I had an interesting experience teaching a member couple. Elder Wright and I were planning on teaching them about sacrifice and the benefits of it. As I was praying in my heart for my companion (during the lesson) the Spirit brought to my mind scriptures and a video from lds.org that I should share. Not really knowing why I should, I chose to switch gears on my companion and go with it. I also shared my testimony. The lesson went so much better and the members were very much more responsive. It was a great feeling to have the room filled with the Spirit.
We're also teaching this woman Gloria. Out of nowhere she asked if I was the missionary that had had a hard time in life before my mission. I said "Yes" and she wants me to speak to her son and give him some counsel as he is young and looking for a better way in life.
As we enter into people's homes they always seem to know that we are servants of the Lord. Even if they are not members, they call us "Jesus' people" - so it's interesting!
Transfers are in about 2 weeks and it's really hard for me to keep my cool because I'm really comfortable with my companion. If you would pray for me to change my mind-set that would sure help! I need to look at it as something exciting and not scary! I'm having a great time here in Virginia and with all my district too. We are really like a family and its going to be hard when we get transferred.
Dad - I'm glad things are going good for you with Ardex. It made me think of D&C 121: 44-45 where he talks how "blessings come down as the dews from heaven."
I hope to get some letters written to you this week because I'm having some awesome spiritual experiences; but if I can't - just know that the Spirit here has been like Isaiah's experience in Chapt. 6: 8 where he states "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." I feel that same way when I feel the Spirit - I have the desire to share to ALL THE WORLD!!!
Elder Richards includes a few more stories regarding the Midlothian Ward and area that he was in:
The other day Elder Wright and I were teaching a lesson to some members about testimonies. About half way into the lesson I got this feeling and thought I should bear my testimony to their son; who was just kind of watching around the room. It looked like he was confused about something. I felt that he was looking for something. So I looked at him as I bore my testimony, "I know that the simple questions that we have may seem pointless and useless, but I know by experience, as I have been lost before, that the only way I know for these questions to be answered is to cry to God about our problems. I know that as we pray to the Lord and if we are open-minded we will receive an answer. It may not come right away, but I know by experience that God knows us, He knows our names and who we are. I promise that these things are true, that the Church is true and I know that The Book of Mormon is the true word of God."
After we left, Elder Wright said, "Elder that was amazing! Their son needed to hear that." I said "What do you mean? I felt the Spirit needed me to speak to him and that the Spirit was very strong." Elder Wright explained that the son was inactive and he had some other serious problems (of which I won't write about) but he needed to hear that.
I don't always know why the Spirit does what it does, but I know that if we don't act on those things at that very moment then we will lose someone; and I can't stand anyone being lost in the world without the tools and the skills given by God so we can be a success.
I am learning every day to learn to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit and I'm growing every time I try.
Another experience I had with Elder Carpenter. We were teaching an investigator who only gets to see his family on the weekends because he is addicted to pain killers and cocaine. One thing that he said was that he didn't feel any hope and that he really needed help. I was again prompted to bear my testimony and after doing so, telling him that there is hope. He started to cry and we ended up giving him a blessing and then we went on our way.
Elder Wright and I were teaching a lesson to a less active girl and her non-member boyfriend. He asked for a Book of Mormon and then he gave the closing prayer, after we asked him to. It was interesting to see his reaction to the influence of the Spirit and how his member girlfriend was again interested in the church.
The more experiences I get the more I will write. It has been incredible to see that if people put their trust in the gospel the more they will be blessed because of it.
FYI the Midlothian Ward (my ward) has a few members and are ready to take in new members at all times. The fellowshipping is ready to happen but the new members are not coming yet. More interesting facts about those in our ward:
* A lot of our members know the people on Mormon.org
* The owner of ALL the Marriott hotels is in our ward!
Well, I love you both and be sure to say 'hi' to the family for me.
Love, Elder Richards
Monday, February 7, 2011
More News from our Missionary!
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
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
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!
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