Another Week!

Hey Everyone!                                                3 December 2012

E. Richards in Newport News

This week has been really great and at times boring! GREAT because we have people to help teach the gospel to and BORING because I have had to stay in a lot because of my ankle. I'm scooting along and I'm trying to get through the hard stuff. I'm not wearing my navy boots. I left them in Glen Allen; but I do have a brace on every time we go out to work.

When I mentioned I bucked my bike, I meant that when I hit both the front and the rear breaks, my bike started to do a front flip. However, my front tire was on the ground and my back tire was up above my head. I ended up sitting on my bike and looking at the ground at the same time and I called it 'bucking' much like a cowboy....Hahaha! I use to do it for fun in Portsmouth on the grass and not so much on the concrete! :-(

The lady we're teaching is great! She wants to be baptized on December 19th but she has to be married first, since she's living with the opposite sex......so I won't be here (for the baptism) but it is an honor to teach someone the gospel.

Here in Newport News people love to learn more. They are more geared to learn about the gospel for some reason; than in my last areas....so the more we work the better. We've been going and trying to talk to past investigators but a lot of people will just approach us about the gospel. Missionary work is great when it's about helping the person wanting to learn more. I'm not here to get a million baptisms for numbers. As my companion and I just teach the lesson and mention baptism, they usually drive towards that on their own - such as the woman set for the 19th of December. She set that herself so...yeah...I love doing missionary work.

Since my accident, my companion is taking good care of me. He tells me how worried he is about me and it's really made me think about how safe I should be. Also, I've been thinking about how to strengthen my testimony. I try to do that by hearing testimonies given on fast Sunday and by reading my journal entries of past spiritual experiences I've had. I can't deny MY OWN WORDS AND THOUGHTS....and the Spirit comes as I remember why the gospel is preached. As the Savior said in Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." it is His purpose and I know why I'm doing it also. It's great! Anything I can do to drive towards that in life and keeping in mind the Lord's guide lines in the scriptures then its going to be alright. God just wants us to trust him.

Anyway.....I hope y'all have a great week. I LOVE you all. Thanks for your e-mails.

Elder Richards

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

Another Week.....gone by...!

Hey Everyone!                                             Monday, November 26, 2012

So this week has been exciting! I twisted my ankle (again!) and almost got hit again on the road. (He's actually trying to give his parents heart attacks!).....but the great thing was I 'bucked' my bike....(?) I was thinking about throwing my hand back like a cowboy but thought, that wouldn't be a great idea!  Sooooooooo....................

Our week has been interesting. We've been teaching a lot of potential people; but no official lessons. I came in with no investigators but now, our efforts are paying off. Elder Orr and I work hard everyday to improve. We're working more this week to catch up on work that past missionaries have done also....so possibly we will have more to do next week - after we work like crazy this week to get things rolling more.

We had an investigator come to church with us this week.....and she loved it! She said she was thinking about baptism and improving her life. She even says that The Book of Mormon is the same but just with different people....which is true.

Our bikes are doing good. I'll be planning on sending my bike (home) about a week before I leave and just borrow a bike from a member...if I can.

Our branch doesn't have too much drama - as much as Wakefield - but it's awesome. I love all the leaders in our branch. Everyone just takes you in and loves you in our branch...it's great!

We also had a funeral this last week.....which was interesting.

It's pretty fun in our area. It's the downtown part of Newport News - but it's all good. We're also working with a youth on getting him to make right choices and serve a mission. He loves having us over and spending time with us; so we're going to have him come with us - if - he's not on house arrest this week.....but no worries!! I LOVE the people here....they're awesome!

So Elder Orr doesn't know of any one named 'Sam Orr' who served in Canada.....sorry..not related!

So the computer I'm on isn't liking my camera right now but I'll find someone who can transfer my pics to y'all - otherwise, I'll show you them when I get back.

Well, I LOVE you all and I hope y'all have an awesome week!

Elder Richards

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

Hello from the NEWS!

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

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!

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

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

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