Pray that People will come......with Real Intent!

So this last week hasn't gone all that well!  :-( We tried to BLITZ the Glen Allen area and unfortunately....no success. Currently we only have 2 investigators and one of them is not progressing. We also had a 'Munch and Mingle' this week and no non-members showed up. There were only about 12 people that came out of the dozens that we invited.....so missionary work here is better than in any other area that I've served in...but struggling in it's own ways. (I'm guessing that the ward is working well with the Elders...just hard to find interested people!)

The one thing that gets me the most - the thing I have seen in all of the areas I've served in - is that the members don't share the gospel or fellowship. Those 2 things are required for our own Personal Salvation as stated in Ezekiel 3:17-21.

"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.........."

We should do as Captain Moroni did with the Title of Liberty....living our beliefs in ALL we do and say and it will catch the notice of others and they will ask about the Gospel. It's difficult trying to tell the members to 'wear their religion' better and put themselves out there to be in a position to answer other's questions about our beliefs. I feel strongly also about how we home teach and visit teach our members......SORRY...I'm just trying to voice my frustrations......but it's all good because I know what's right and that answers to my prayers will come! 2 Chronicles 7:14....

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

(Powerful counsel that is needed for each of us and our country!)

We're working on seeing ALL our potentials and former contacts and also finishing the assignments given us by the ward council. Hopefully we'll find more people to teach. PLEASE PRAY that people will come to us as we work...those with real intent!

I stumbled upon these great videos from Elder Bednar - they were a great reminder and subject for study for me. They are in a 3-part series...so look through all of them. They're very good!


http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1737858982001

ENJOY!

I LOVE you ALL. Thank you for your support. These things are REAL; because people can and do change for the better!  :-)

Elder Richards

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

Hello Family!

Hey Everyone!

Things here in Glen Allen are going great! We're having some success and we're slowly getting somewhere with the work. When I came here we really didn't have any investigators other than Vince and Kay and they are doing great!

We have been tracting lately around our appointments and have had great success. I think tracting is good the way we use it today compared to how it use to be. Sometimes if we feel inspired to see someone and go there and nobody is home - it's because the Lord knows there is someone there for us to meet other than our original appointment - or an experience that is meant to help us grow....so I like it! We just recently found a Cambodian man last week that said he'd read The Book of Mormon - so after emailing we're going to deliver a Book of Mormon to him in Cambodian, that way he will understand it better.

As far as bikes go...I have been helping my new companion repair his. It's a bit rusted so hopefully we'll get some spare parts here soon to get his ride running smoother. Mom, it's great to hear that your biking! I hope your crash wasn't too bad. My companion, the other day crashed on a wet road and got scraped up a little and I slid also, but caught myself for the 1st time...Haha! but it's all good!

So lately, I'm putting all of the notes and notebooks I have into my study journal....to save space. It's nice to  save space and be done with all the papers flying around my luggage. I hope to be sending a few more things home soon...(letters, mission newsletters, etc..) (As long as he keeps the bedbugs there in Virginia I'm fine with that - if not we're prepared with bedbug juice here!)

Also, I'm really stoked to vote this year! If you could, I would love to get things started with the voting so I can give my 2 cents. I'm also creating a list of things to work on when I get home - that way I won't have any chill time to sit on my butt doing nothing. If there are any job opportunities available be sure to tell them when I get home. I would LOVE to start working.

Anyway, lately I've also been working on role plays with my companion and with keeping our place clean...since the bedbugs have been everywhere. So we're slowly working on it!!

Right now I'm in Chapter 2 of "Preach My Gospel" brushing up on my study skills. To make sure I get things organized when I go back and refer to my notes and journal in the future. Other than that things are going great!

Sorry I don't have any pics this week. We're still getting things organized and finished with our apartment and with the area....but I will send pics soon.

I LOVE y'all!

QUOTE: "Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God at His disposition and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."


Enjoy this newest message....spread the word of God!!!!

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#sharing-your-beliefs


Elder Richards

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

Glen Allen

Hey Everybody!                                                        27 August 2012

I'm in a real nice small apartment. It's tiny, haha! I feel like I can reach to the stove from my bed! It's all good!

As I came in (to this area) we don't have any investigators; but two potential baptisms! So we're getting to work and hopefully getting things done.

My bed is super comfy and I pass out almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I am really impressed with our ward. It's between the sizes of Norfolk (small) and Portsmouth (large). Our ward mission leader is the man! We're planning some new finding activities for our ward on a monthly basis for us to help find new people.

Also, I'm right next to downtown Richmond; our zone leaders and the other missionaries in our District live downtown so we'll usually go there every now and then. It's really nice to see a nice big city. It's much bigger than Norfolk and much taller buildings.

So my area has tons of hills and what I mean by tons is an understatement. I'm using 1-4 gears a lot as opposed to the usual 2-6 gears! Haha! Today I cleaned my chain and gears and got ready for my new area. Things are running very nicely and quiet too. As far as my bike goes...it's working fine!

It's good to hear that Owen and Aidon are doing great! Good to hear they are on bikes. Haha! I hope to ride with them when I return home. Hopefully, I'll be able to ship my bike after my mission.

Lately I've been reading "Jesus the Christ" and it's been really interesting the similarities between Christ's time and ours. Of course, it's a pattern today that we're in. With war and political parties and with different religions. The chapter I just finished was about the "The Meridian of Time" and I'll be continuing on from there. Mainly this chapter just explained the time and place that Christ was in just before his birth and during his ministry.

Also, my companion's name is Elder Herron. He's from Utah and he's the man! There is stress too but not the kind I've had in the past 7 months....but it's all good!

I love my mission and I am stoked to hopefully finish here in Glen Allen.

Love y'all!

Elder Richards

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

I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!

Hey Everyone!                                                         20 August 2012

I'm getting transferred to........a far off land named Glen Allen. It's north of Richmond in a VERY hilly bike area...it's in the suburbs. I'm not sure if I'll be in that area through my last transfer - but it's going to be AWESOME! (SEE MAP BELOW!)

This week....we taught a sweet lesson with a woman on her porch. She didn't want us to come by later; but once we both bore our testimonies and sang a hymn on her porch, she invited us back for this coming week. It was great to see the change in her countenance once we testified and sang "I Am A Child of God".........plus her dog loved having a nice back scratch. Haha!

We also had a great time talking to a bunch of people that want us to come back this week. It's great to see how the gospel changes people. Hearing the testimonies of other people and their experiences helps to lift me up....also when they are lifted up in their hard times.

It is only in our service and action that people can see us and feel our light!

This week we're also getting things going with our investigators and helping them in their reading of The Book of Mormon; we're hoping they will progress.

The missionary that will step-in for me served as the Assistant to the Mission President. The President always releases his Assistants when they have only one more transfer. He (the Elder) is an AWESOME missionary; one that I think Norfolk really needs.

Meanwhile, I'm going to get packing this week, getting things cinched up and ready for my move.

From what I hear, Glen Allen is a very rich area and has TONS of hills! It also has the smallest missionary apartment in the Virginia Richmond Mission so I'll be a bit cramped; but IT'S ALL GOOD!!  :-)

Something great I learned this week ties into the principles of Charity and Love found in "Preach My Gospel". If you ever have a difficult time communicating with others...ask them this question: "How do you show charity and concern for me?" and then ask "How can I show charity and love for you?" This is a good way to understand how to solve problems and fix issues with another person. It works great to ask those questions to others around you, i.e. investigators, friends, family, relatives or acquaintances It has a deep application but it makes sense. People will know that we are the Disciples of Christ when we have love one to another.

If I work that way with my motives then people will see a vast change for good in my character and behavior. The Savior explains it a bunch more in John Chapter 14 about love and action/behavior. I see it as a psychology lesson/observation that the Savior points out.

Anyway, I'm STOKED to be moving. I've been here forever and I'll be scratching my head as to how to pack all over again......BUT IT'S ALL GOOD!

I love you all!

Elder Richards

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

P.S. Thanks for the email.....I am STOKED to hear that you found Elder Harter. He's the man! That is so cool that you were able to see him. I love seeing your faces and him together...Haha...it seems like yesterday that I was chasing chickens at their house...Haha!

I love you guys! Thanks for all you two do!!!

Elder Harter serving in the Tacoma, WA mission
Elder Richards knew him and his family
when he served in
Wakefield, Virginia, USA

GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA
Elder Richards' 6th area of Service
Just a little north/west of Richmond.

An EXCITING week!

A week of great ALARM and great EXCITEMENT!

So this past week has been verrrrrrrry interesting! We had interviews with our Mission President. Our rides for Zone Conference got confused and we ALMOST didn't have one; so we planned out a route to bike to Virginia Beach from Norfolk; BUT we got a ride at the last second! Haha!

We got lost on the city bus transit system and ended up leaving our area. So as we were waiting for a bus we taught some people along the way clear over in the Virginia Beach zone! After we had waited for a while for the bus - as it was pulling up - we saw that it  had a FULL bike rack - soooooo we decided to catch the bus at the light rail station. It was a 2-3 mile bike ride and we ended up arriving there at the same time that the bus got there. The bus driver had this really puzzled look on his face....like 'haven't I seen you guys before'! Hahahahaha! We were sweating BULLETS that day.....it was great!.....but alas! No luck with that bus either, so we just rode home.  I also got my bike fixed a bit!

Our investigator is progressing.....and his girlfriend is somewhat interested.

I almost got KILLED by a car on Thursday....so if any of you ever had the thought to pray for my safety that day.......THANK YOU! I did have a few scrapes here and there but I'm OK....It's all good!

(Don wrote him: Did you fall? Did you get hurt by the bus? Did the driver stop to see if you were okay?????)
(His reply: Uhhhh just my arm and shin got scraped up. My  head is intact; the driver of the car came within a foot of hitting me before they stopped. They got out and said 'I just felt that I needed to stop." I said in a delighted way "Thanks...I'm REALLY glad you did." I will say, at the time I was more worried about my sock that got torn up big time than I was with myself. Haha!)

My companion even said "You handled that way better than I would have. I would be crying right now." Haha! It's all good! No Worries...It's all good! My companion gave me a blessing in the park nearby. Just please pray that I remain focused on what I'm doing and protected as I ride PLEASE.

Don then wrote:
"Remember you are wearing the armor of God. Please be careful. I'm glad you are OK and that you got a blessing. WE pray for you EVERY day plus about 13 million + members!"

Elder Richards responded to his dad: Thanks, I LOVE you Dad! Your the man! Be safe while you're gone too.

*********************
(I sure hope Don and I can get through this mission without having heart attacks!)

More news:

So Norfolk might be changed a bit this next week. There might be some changes made to the areas of Norfolk 1st & 2nd Wards. All of us missionaries here have either served here for 6 months or more (E. Richards has now been there for 7 1/2 months) and the other two Elders are here for their 2nd time on their missions. Chances are I might be transferred, but who knows. We'll find out this next Sunday.

My studies this week have been sweet! I'm learning to put trust in the Lord and relying on Him to make the changes that I can't make. Also learning about how I can apply that trust in my life,

In working with people..what I'll usually do is ask a person about what problems they may be having in life....then I'll ask..."what is usually associated with that behavior?"....i.e. drugs, crime, crummy environment, etc...(these are the major things mentioned) Asking these things usually helps to reveal to us what they need to know about to make better choices in their lives. In return we try to teach them about repentance and show them how that can help their lives be better. We will also talk about how to have hope, faith and Charity and helping them to see how those qualities will ultimately help them in their lives to be happier. So I'm learning how to ask more inspired questions with our investigators and it's WORKING!! Yeah!!  This really helps us to narrow things down for understanding them and if they are going to want to continue with us teaching them or not.

BTW if you were watching the media about Gov. Romney in Norfolk and if you happened to see 2 confused missionaries in white shirts and ties riding in the streets...THAT WAS US....HAHAH! We  had no idea what was going on. We were on our way to get my bike fixed in Portsmouth and we had no idea that they were coming to Norfolk.....HAHA....Plus we were lost...so it's all good!

Anyway...that's been my week so far. It's been crazy and really fun all at the same time. I hope everyone enjoys their week.....this week!

I LOVE you all!

Elder Richards

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


P.S. I would also like to extend my thanks to all of you who pray for our missionary and all the other missionaries from our ward. It helps a TON!!

The Fog of War....and more interesting Thoughts!

More great Saints from Virginia!

We sure enjoyed the 4th this year!

My new, BIG companion!
He's the Man!

This week has been crazy!                             6 August 2012

We were teaching an investigator in their apartment when someone else in the room randomly woke up and wanted a lesson also! So we were nice and busy teaching 2 lessons at the same time and then as we were leaving...we continued to  have a great discussion and thennnnnnnnnn........my companion's tire POPPED! The hole was next to the valve (which was an interesting fix) but it worked! Stem flats are tough but you feel like you can do anything - if it works! Haha!

We also had our young men come with us on exchanges and we blitzed the area! It works if both YM can ride well on bike...but it's all good! We accomplished our goals! :-)

Yesterday (Sunday) was also crazy! We had a random investigator come to church (who we didn't know) and we went to all the classes exorting the youth to pass out the new QR code pass-along cards. (I'm anxious to follow up next week)!

(While Elder Richards was writing his email to us this is what happened!) So the woman that just came to church yesterday just TEXTED us and we're having an appointment this week! YEAH! so uhhhh...just thought I'd share!!!!!!!! :-)

One of the testimonies given yesterday was by a soldier who talked about "the fog of war"; how the fog hampers the soldier fighting in battle.....keeping them from accomplishing their objectives. It includes things like: war cries, shrapnel, explosions, bullet fire and so on. He went on to say that the Church is in a "fog of war" state. Things that distract us from accomplishing our objectives - things like: profanity, disrespect to women, drugs, pornography, addictions and so on.... I really enjoyed that analogy and I believe it makes sense. What in my "fog of war" is keeping me from achieving my objectives and obtaining victory? Interesting thought! I also remember though that I am a supernal being. I've been put here for a reason and I need to understand what that is:

THE PLAN OF SALVATION!

Christ Knocking
at OUR door

Woman at the Well

                               



So today I was studying about repentance and how critical it is every day of our lives. I thought of when the Savior was speaking to the woman at the well and also how Heavenly Father wants us to "seek" after him. I was also studying in the ARP manual, step 3 and compared it with 'the woman at the well' and went on to step 4 - of how to apply that in my life. Along with these thoughts came to my mind the scripture in Revelation 3:20:

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

ANOTHER THOUGHT from the scriptures:

In Matt.5:17-48 Here the Lord is showing the people how to let go of the Law of Moses and their 'hard hearts' and learn to live by a different law. Also, the story of Alma and Amulek as they were in dungeons and treated so badly - because of the hardness of the hearts of the people. In Alma  8:31 it reads

  "And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power UNTIL they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth His power in them."

REMEMBER AND FORGET NOT!  I just need to remain confident that God is with me and act at the right moment and then things will change. People will be converted as they witness God's power.

My studies have been amazing and I'm really trying to internalize the scriptures for me.

BTW Mom, the cd's work great! I've really enjoyed listening to the talks on them.....THANKS!

I LOVE y'all and I hope everyone's week goes well. Thank you for all y'all do.

Beautiful sunset over the Atlantic!

A little mission humor:

Now that I have it all taken apart.....where do all the pieces go......
Tell the young men preparing for their missions to take a
Bike 101 repair class! It will come in handy!!  :-)

Elder Richards

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

http://mormonchannel.org/mormon-messages-for-youth?v=1756076503001

http://mormonchannel.org/

HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE VIDEOS! They're AWESOME!

This is what the work is all about!
The Lord's children!

Some NEW Progress!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Great Family!

GOOD Friends!!!

How do you dry leather?
Yeah...it's hot and sweaty here!

This week has been GREAT! Our ward is now starting to get ward missionaries, and we're developing a ward mission plan. Our youth are asking us all the time to come out with us and teach, bike, tract and so on....!

Our ward is looking up and it's great that we're getting things ignited. It's been a struggle and it took some trials to get here but hopefully we will see some good things come out of this.

Lately my studies have highlighted the significance of Jesus Christ; how great He was/is and His influence in my life. The gospel, when applied brings nothing but GOOD things into our lives; because it's all TRUE principles.

I'm also trying to apply the doctrine found in the scriptures. That's how it is meant to work since Nephi did it in his time and how all the prophets did. I'm likening the scriptures to myself more and internalizing them with the hopes that I will get more out of them; thus giving me a better understanding of life and history also!

One of our investigators broke down to us and said he didn't want to revert back to anger and drugs. We gave him a list of things to help him have happiness! AND HE CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! bOO-YEAH!!!

We also met 2 new investigators who were very nice the first night we met. They gave us a nice drink at their home and we're meeting them tonight for a lesson!!

Lately my bike has been working great! I'll be getting a new cassette here soon that can hold up to the stress I put into it!!!!! (IT'S ALL GOOD!)

The BIKE Man.....He's the MAN!!!
He keeps us on the Road!

Another thing I've realized this week is that even in hard times, optimism is key to living and progressing in the gospel and in our mental health. The Gospel benefits every aspect of our lives all at the same time while applying one principle and then learning to do another. Living one principle helps us to live another and another and another and the only thing that limits us in our progression is in our understanding of the doctrine.

Here are some ways to better look at the scriptures when studying:

1. Doctrine - WHAT is the doctrine

2. Principle - WHY is it a principle

3. Application - HOW do we apply it?

4. Behavior - WHY and HOW does it change our behavior..

I hope that makes sense. Thanks for your e-mails family.

I LOVE you ALL!

Elder Richards

Virginia Richmond Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter Day Saints

We're WATCHING you!!