hello from "VIRGINIA...FREEDOM"!!!

Hey Everyone!

Thank you for all your emails! I really enjoy hearing how things are going and how people are doing back home.

Yes, Mom, I'll try not to get into anymore accidents! When I had to clear out the rocks and dust out of my injury, it hurt like the dickens! Right now I've got some liquid band-aid for it and it burns like crazy every time I apply it - but it works.

Our investigators are doing ok; they're understanding the messages we give them. We did, however, lose the baptismal date set for Dec. 10th and now we're wondering where we're going to go from here.

So, we got some new family history pass along cards and they look amazing!! I can't wait to get home and test all the software!!

We haven't gotten any snow lately but it's been getting warm and then freezing, so we're packing our jackets with us all the time.

  

As you can see from the beautiful trees
Autumn is there - as it is here!
November 2011

I hope Amy really enjoyed her letter from Emily and that things there are going well. It's always good to hear that someone is doing great!

Soooooo in dealing with stress, my companion likes to play pranks on me alot! with shaving creme...and it's working really well!!



Guess Who???  E. Jensen!



Boys will be Boys!

Anything to get the stress away; so we're trying to get better at that!

I hope things are going well for all of you this week.

Amy.........I'm still looking in the mailbox for your letter. Be sure to let me know if you've seen any blessings from giving service in any future letter or email.

I love you all and I hope to hear from you soon.

Your son,

Elder Richards

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


More Great News from Portsmouth

Hey Family & Friends.....who read this!

Things have been great this past week! We're teaching a Jehovah's Witness and we just set him for baptism on DEC. 10th. We're excited! We now have a new Bishop in our ward. He's really stoked to help us missionaries so we're gearing up to receive new members into the ward and to re-activate current members. The great thing is that the assignments that we get from the Bishop are going to benefit the ward in more ways than we thought at first. It will help the Elder's Quorum and the Relief Society.

Lately, we've had some senior missionaries come over to our apartment while we are studying. They help us plan, communicate, teach & learn in so many new ways-it's not even funny! It's been EPIC! The senior couple were suppose to report home but they were able to start a new church pilot program that was approved by our Prophet and we, as full-time missionaries were able to participate in this new program. So their calling has been extended and we are helping in the program which will eventually help missionaries world wide. It is AWESOME!

So we have this new investigator. For the past few lessons I've felt a prompting to 'show him the baptismal font' - but kept putting it off and forgetting to do it. Last night, at the end of our lesson, I had the same impression to 'show him the font'. As it was at the end of the meeting I remembered the prompting. I did show him the font and once we did, we found a concern he had and were able to calm his worries and now he is more excited to continue with the lessons! Today, this investigator is going to be joining us in basketball on our P-day along with some other missionaries!

As far as my week went; my injuries are healing and my bike is doing fine! We were riding on a road that had no sidewalks and were anxious to get on one that was coming up ahead. When I saw the sidewalk I started to ride faster. At the same time a car came zooming past my companion and I and I think it brushed against our sleeves. The car gave us no leeway (sp?) and I rushed to the sidewalk. As I did, I swerved to avoid the powerbox in front of us and went to the left and then tried to swerve right back onto the sidewalk. Well, when I did that my bike hit some grass that was there by the road and wouldn't you know....my front tire sliped out from under me and it went one way and I went flying over my bike the other way! My wrist impacted the sidewalk first and I slid across the sidewalk on my forearm clear up to my elbow. As I was 'sliding' about 10 feet, I took up a good chunk of grass between the cracks and then I just LAID THERE! I was thinking "wow, did I just do that?" I FLEW...kinda cool"! At which point in time, I then looked down my arm and found a wonderful surprise of red fluid! OUCH! Sorry to gross y'all out but I'm fine and so is my dignity!!!

We had some members pick us up and take us home (and patch me up!) as we were in a rush to get to an appointment after that! Here's some more pics of my battle wounds!

Enjoy!

Elder Richards

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

NEWS UPDATE!

Our missionary was in an accident! As far as I know, this is the 2nd time that he was almost hit by a car. This picture below was taken by a ward member who helped him out and they texted and sent this to Don's phone (who is in Chicago).

They said that it was either hit the pavement or get hit by the car. He took evasive action and this was the result. At least he will have some battle scars to tell his children about someday.

I don't believe he was actually crying in this pic (I hope he isn't!!)..we were led to believe that he was demonstrating to someone there what happened at the time...(then again, MAYBE he was crying....!)

All I know...is that he must be doing some great work or Lucifer wouldn't be trying so hard to stop him. Let's hope it doesn't turn out to be "3" times a charm.

The members of the Virginia Richmond Mission are AWESOME! They take such good care of the missionaries there - it definitely gives Don and I peace of mind; also strengthens my testimony that the Lord watches over all of his 'stripling warriors'!

Don texted back to them to give him our love and concern and that he is in our prayers!

Susan

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the emails and all the great insights on some great things!

Today for Halloween we get to go inside for the holiday....but....we get to enjoy that time at a members home, so it'll be NICE!

Portsmouth, VA

Here are some other things that have been happening:

We had a baptism!!!!!!!!

We have a great new investigator (who is really questioning all the good stuff/everything) and I'm staying in Portsmouth. So other than that things are going well!!

 

Our ward is AWESOME and we're really getting to know a lot about our area. I had my interview with President and it was so nice to get to talk to him and get to hear his counsel on things I should do.



I believe these are members of his ward!

I'm sorry this e-mail isn't too long. I just had a LONG conversation with a really nice woman about religion......but I'll send these pictures your way. (It sounds like he is busy sharing the gospel....I don't mind getting short emails since he is doing the Lord's work!)



Elder Richards

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

Hi from Virginia!                                         24 October 2011

Thanks for the emails Mom and Dad; it was great to hear that you are all doing great!

Riding HIGH in the Sky!
(Can you tell they're bored?)



 The last 7 days have been GREAT! My companion and I hammered out some things in our comp. inventory and now we work together better; that really is a nice blessing to have. Preach My Gospel is incredible!!!

Lately, we've been working with some people that have major trials in their lives. The feelings I have felt and the love I have felt towards them, reminds me that missionary work IS a work of love and will go on for the rest of my life. Each person I've met has changed who I am and has helped me see the big picture of who I am - it's INDESCRIBABLE!

If anyone is wondering how to so call "find themselves" then do these 4 steps:

A. Pray often and give an accounting to the Lord.

B. Serve those around you for NO reason and pray to be filled with love for those you serve.

C. Clean up after yourself (said my companion!) - (Yeah, I'm guilty - ha!ha!). Just as a clean engine works better than when it's dirty, so does the Spirit work better in our lives.

D. Don't be afraid to give correction BUT do it with love; build them up and then express feelings towards them, as well as take correction yourself.

Yeah - things are going really well.

Lately we've been teaching a person the lessons. I kind of set them for a quick date - for the 29th of October. Then we met with them last night, and they want to get baptized this Wednesday. We were so surprised that we didn't even get around to talking about what we had planned. Having the Spirit direct that lesson last night was GREAT! To see this person make a solid commitment and continue on with their lives is incredible! So....YEAH....it was awesome!!

So my companion and I got really bored the other day, which should explain the pictures, but hey, we're missionaries and you can only do so much with what you have....! HA! HA!



Glad to see he is brushing his teeth!




I call this one "Monkey Face"
(They must really be bored!)




Sleeping High in the Sky
(Silly E. Jensen!)

Other than being bored, we're doing GREAT! I've been worried about how things are back at home with everything and how everyone is doing! I also hate asking for things (I'm like you dad, admit it LOL) but I pray that everything is going well.

This talk, which I've listed below, was given to me by a sister missionary as she was preparing to go home. It has helped address some of my concerns and other hard things. As well as helped my understanding of why we have adversity and it also addresses the question "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people." I hope you enjoy it:

http://lds.org/ensign/2000/03/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence?lang=eng&query=cast+away+therefore+your+confidence

This scripture (this week) is also wonderful:


Alma 6:6:
"Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."

I hope all is well and that your days and weeks will continue to get better. It gives me great joy in hearing from you all and I hope to hear from you soon.

Elder Richards

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

My Mission Progress

Hey Guys!

Here are 3 great spots I thought you might enjoy watching! Let me know what you think of them... I love you all!

http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2011-06-012-moments-that-matter-most


http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2011-05-010-book-of-mormon-introduction


http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng#2009-05-21-hope-ya-know-we-had-a-hard-time


Hey Everybody!

So far my bike is fixed! The only thing I really need with it is that the 1st and 8th gears are worn a bit (we missionaries redefine wear and tear) - but my bike is otherwise doing great!

Lately, we've had a lot of people getting ready for baptism but they can't seem to make the final push. If they did we would have wrinkled skin after being in the water for so long....we're working on it!

Lately my companion and I have been working and getting better at our weaknesses and we're trying to hammer everything out as we go,....it's going great though!

So I'm still sick (just with a cough) but it's all good. We're going to be loading up on things here pretty soon at Walmart tonight....haha!

So I want to talk about my mission so far. What it has done for me and how I've changed.

My mission has changed my entire perspective on my life. I owe all of my help and sanctification to my Savior. My attitude to prayer is different and I continue to change how I feel about communicating with my Father and Jesus Christ.

Regarding my thoughts on returning home one day...I see myself deleting all the music and getting rid of a ton of movies, shows, games, etc. Changing what is in my life and emursing myself deeply in my understanding of my beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

One thing that has stuck out in my mind is that there are only 2 names I represent. First, Jesus Christ and second, my family name. They are the only 2 names on my tag. I go around telling people that I will help them regardless of their circumstances as Christ would do and as a Richards--family name. So that when people read my name (Richards) they will remember that the Richards' believed and lived the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It is a heavy burden but one I enjoy because I still hope I can change as much as the Apostle Paul did and make sacrifices when it is needed but seems impossible. So far it's been great! and I am looking forward to seeing how I come up to next in my progression. I don't want to go back to who I was before as the council from an Area Seventy suggested "Don't adjust very much when you return home; the only thing that must happen is your release and nothing else." Adding my own words to that "if I go home with nothing applied than I'm not doing what Christ intended for me from the beginning; to follow Him, to act like Him, in His name, and to sanctify myself. If I stop doing those things then I will not be as close to the Lord ever in my life as I have had the opportunity to be now or in the Temple." I owe everything to Him and I'm seeking ways every day to change and apply new things that will bring me closer to that goal. The phrase we use out here the most should be applied to all..."Set goals AND make plans to ____________."

Everything else is going well.....other than I need to write in my journal more and get feeling better!! I hope y'all liked this email and I hope to hear from y'all soon.

I love ya!

Elder Richards

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

Hello, This is Elder Richards - 3 October 2011

Hey Everyone!

This is the group I just left in Lawrenceville, Virginia!    Great Elders!!!



Lawrenceville

Just thought I would tell of some interesting experiences in my new district lately. Due to the leadership training that my companion was called out to I went and stayed with some Elders in my new district in an area called Deep Creek for about 4 days and it was awesome!

The first day we got moving and went to see some appointments. We were soaked to the bone in a big rain storm and in case you're wondering what Elders do in a rain storm, they keep going to their appointments and let the air dry them off. Haha...so it was fun!

In the next few days...one Elder's bike got a flat, so I carried his bike to the gas station and we attempted to fill it up and before we knew it - the inner tube was sticking 2 inches out of the rim! I yelled WHOA WHOA ELDER STOP..STOP! and then BOOOOOOOM and since we were in a part of town where there are bars on the windows and doors of the stores .... I was expecting to hear return gun fire....luckily we didn't get any! We had a great laugh (haha!) and I proceeded to carry his bike to the store. On the way, we were crossing the street and we could see a truck off in the distance that was far enough away that we could go ahead and cross (we thought!). As soon as I got half-way across carrying the bike, I heard a very loud burst of a turbo-charged truck engine speeding towards me at what was far beyond the speed limit!!!  By the time I got to the sidewalk and looked back at the other Elders - the truck went screaming by at @ 60-80 mile per hour.

Later that day we rode to the apartment and beat our member who was taking the other Elder home with his bike and we ended up getting soaked again and waiting in the rain for them to show up...Haha!

The next day we went to teach an older lady and during the lesson her dog was sleeping. I went to pet the dog and it just started barking and trying to bite me.....out of nowhere! I almost "bit the dust" but it's all good!

The day after that we were in our kitchen and we had this HUGE bug just chilling on the wall and I said to the other missionary "don't move" - and of course he didn't know why. I took a cake mix box and in one swoop (like a Ninja) smashed that bug on the wall. As I did so the other Elder just flipped out!

Oh the joy of the adventures on exchanges and the sweet satisfaction of not only smashing a giant bug but also scaring the missionary I was next to. Haha...oh the joy!! :-)

Now for the bike story....I found a bike frame of a T.R.E.K. in the Elder's closet and it had a ton of things missing but it has a very well built body and the gear changers were in great condition. The Elders there let me have it. The last day I was in Deep Creek (after my back tire fell off while crossing the highway) we got the bike rebuilt at a very good bike shop! The owner looked at it, felt the frame with his hand for about 2 seconds and then gave me an estimate on it and that was it! He is a man who has had around 40-60 years of biking under his belt. In a day when there were no big brand name bikes (or bike shops) in the states and you just had to build your own bike. He is a master bike builder - all while listening to classical music!!   I didn't get out of there until I placed a Book of Mormon in his hands!!! Yeah!! So I'm good to go and we're doing great!

I hope that everyone got some kick's and giggles out of my adventures and that everyone has a very good week after what was mentioned in General Conference.

I LOVE you all!

Our address is:

617 Dunedin Rd., Apt. #A
Portsmouth, VA 23701

Elder Richards

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



old Diamond Back Bike



New T.R.E.K. orange bike.....!

IT'S ALL GOOD!!