Hello One and All,
Well this last week was a pretty good one. Last Pday the Palouse Falls was awesome. I have some really cool pictures I want to send home but as of right now I cannot find my plug in to copy pics to the computer. So those will be forthcoming. So yeah, the falls were really cool. The group of Elders I was with found this "path" (it was actually just a cliff with plumbing running down it we could use to help us climb) that took us right down to the base of the waterfall. It was really pretty and a lot of fun. We showed the pictures to Sister Davidson (a bishop's wife/our mother in this area) and she told us that we shouldn't send them to our mothers. So maybe I'll send the pics to Whit and she can decide if there ok for you mom.
My big news for today is that I successfully sewed a button back onto one of my shirts. I was pretty proud of myself.
Our baptism last saturday went through successfully. Her son baptized her and confirmed her, and it was really neat to see how excited she was to take this step. The service was a little stressful, because we hadn't sufficiently coordinated with the family so the program was not to there liking. I was getting dagger stares from the Daughter in law for most of my talk. But afterwords we ran into them at a restaurant and they invited us over to sit with them and we had a lovely time chatting with them and everyone was happy, so things worked out good in the end.
We had interviews with President and Sister Greer this last week. They went really great and I had an awesome visit with them both. They both thought my spanish story on mothers day was hilarious and that I did the right thing telling it in spanish. I'm now in the older half of spanish elders in the mission so it looks like I might be training pretty soon. I was talking with one of the zl's and he was saying that he's pretty positive that either me or Bao will be training next transfer, and that both of us will be training the following. So we will see what happens with that.
Yesterday we did a brief exchange with the ZL's I went with one to get our baptismal candidate interviewed for thursday while the other went with Bao to our dinner appointment. I was a little bummed out because it was a really cool family from the spanish branch. But the interview went well and Zenaida is ready to get baptized. She's really excited for this. Hopefully we can get her brother and sister soon. They both want it but they want to wait a little. When we met back up with the other elders we learned that at dinner Brother Alvarez had killed a goat. I was pretty bummed that I missed it, but baptisms are important too. I did watch the video that Bao took of it. It was really funny, also extremely bloody. But we won't dwell on that I suppose.
Life is good out here. Thanks for the updates on things mom. I love you all very much. The church is true.
Love,
Elder Richards
p.s. Mom, that picture you sent me actually looks exactly like where I live, except minus the mountains. We're in the middle of a orchards. There's a lot of farm land and sage brush, but it's still pretty in a deserty sort of way.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
All Settled In
Hello One and All,
Well, life in the WKM is pretty good these days. We're all settled in and in a routine in our new home. Our address is 4500 sheffield rd. We even started running every morning, so needless to say I'm big and buff and fit. Actually there's a pretty substantial hill at the end of the run coming back to the house, and every time I get to the top I feel like I'm on the verge of having a heart attack. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger right? Also I get reminded just how bad of joints I have (there's a lot of creaking and cracking and clicking going on).
The week's work was pretty good. We did awesome with getting members present in our lessons which is always desirable. This Saturday we will be having a baptism. And then another one next week, so we're excited for that.
Today for Pday the zone is going to some nearby waterfall. It should be a lot of fun, I'll be sure to take lots of pictures. Fun fact that dad and Eric will probably enjoy: This morning I was folding up laundry in our closet when I found an autographed football from Steve Young. I had to explain the significance of that to Elder Bao, but once he understood he thought it was pretty cool. I'd sneak it home for you dad, but it's autographed to "Trevor" sorry.
Mom, so this last week we went and visited this older member. She's almost 93, and still very active. She was a really neat lady and shared several cool stories with us. She also told us about a book that I thought you would really enjoy it's called Divine Signature The Confirming Hand of God, by Gerald N. Lund. The work and the glory guy. It's a compilation of inspiring missionary stories, and pioneer accounts from the good ol' days of persecution. And a genealogical question for you: Are we related to Robert Clifton? He's pioneer stock. The name sounded familiar to me for some reason.
On Friday we had a lot of mexicans asking us if the world was going to end the next day. Apparently some guy who predicted the end of the world back in 94 double checked his math and realized he forgot to carry a one or something and the actual end of the world was last saturday. We explained how not even the angels in heaven know when that will happen. But it did give us a few teaching opportunities, we asked people if they would like to know how God really communicates with us. And then...Prophets! So it was a good time.
On saturday we went to several parties, the first one was in the trailer park with all the spanish branch members. Hmno Cano was grilling and it was very tastey. Home made tortillas and orchata, what could be better. I had this awesome stew that you wrap up in your tortilla, I can't remember what it was called but I think it was pork or something...maybe chiva, I'm not to sure. But it was good. Then that night the ward had a dutch oven dinner over at this little private owned airport, that was also tastey. We had to run out early because one of our investigators called us and asked if we could come over right then.
Well, I think that just about does it for me this week. I'm really greatful to all of you for all that you do for me. Thanks Whit and Cody for the post cards, I have 4 to date (3 of them came yesterday). I hope all of you are doing good. Mom, could you do me a favor, get in contact with Ricardo, he wrote me a week or two back, but I'm not sure where to write back because I think the semester ends soon. Thanks everyone. The church is true, and God loves you.
Love,
Elder Richards
Well, life in the WKM is pretty good these days. We're all settled in and in a routine in our new home. Our address is 4500 sheffield rd. We even started running every morning, so needless to say I'm big and buff and fit. Actually there's a pretty substantial hill at the end of the run coming back to the house, and every time I get to the top I feel like I'm on the verge of having a heart attack. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger right? Also I get reminded just how bad of joints I have (there's a lot of creaking and cracking and clicking going on).
The week's work was pretty good. We did awesome with getting members present in our lessons which is always desirable. This Saturday we will be having a baptism. And then another one next week, so we're excited for that.
Today for Pday the zone is going to some nearby waterfall. It should be a lot of fun, I'll be sure to take lots of pictures. Fun fact that dad and Eric will probably enjoy: This morning I was folding up laundry in our closet when I found an autographed football from Steve Young. I had to explain the significance of that to Elder Bao, but once he understood he thought it was pretty cool. I'd sneak it home for you dad, but it's autographed to "Trevor" sorry.
Mom, so this last week we went and visited this older member. She's almost 93, and still very active. She was a really neat lady and shared several cool stories with us. She also told us about a book that I thought you would really enjoy it's called Divine Signature The Confirming Hand of God, by Gerald N. Lund. The work and the glory guy. It's a compilation of inspiring missionary stories, and pioneer accounts from the good ol' days of persecution. And a genealogical question for you: Are we related to Robert Clifton? He's pioneer stock. The name sounded familiar to me for some reason.
On Friday we had a lot of mexicans asking us if the world was going to end the next day. Apparently some guy who predicted the end of the world back in 94 double checked his math and realized he forgot to carry a one or something and the actual end of the world was last saturday. We explained how not even the angels in heaven know when that will happen. But it did give us a few teaching opportunities, we asked people if they would like to know how God really communicates with us. And then...Prophets! So it was a good time.
On saturday we went to several parties, the first one was in the trailer park with all the spanish branch members. Hmno Cano was grilling and it was very tastey. Home made tortillas and orchata, what could be better. I had this awesome stew that you wrap up in your tortilla, I can't remember what it was called but I think it was pork or something...maybe chiva, I'm not to sure. But it was good. Then that night the ward had a dutch oven dinner over at this little private owned airport, that was also tastey. We had to run out early because one of our investigators called us and asked if we could come over right then.
Well, I think that just about does it for me this week. I'm really greatful to all of you for all that you do for me. Thanks Whit and Cody for the post cards, I have 4 to date (3 of them came yesterday). I hope all of you are doing good. Mom, could you do me a favor, get in contact with Ricardo, he wrote me a week or two back, but I'm not sure where to write back because I think the semester ends soon. Thanks everyone. The church is true, and God loves you.
Love,
Elder Richards
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Hola
Hello One and All,
Well, we have succesfully moved to our new residence. My apologies but I do not know the address, Sheffield Road that much I know. I would imagine the area code is the same, and I'm still in Basin City. I'll have to verify that, but I think that's what it is. It took us 2 car fulls to get everything there. We could have gotten all our stuff in just one, but then there's the issue of all the crap every missionary before you has left behind. This includes a guitar, weights, a million vhs tapes, and other fun things. Our new place seems pretty nice. We've yet to sleep in it because last night we were in the zone leaders' apartment for some early morning training. I slept about as well to be expected (there are a lot of diseased and smelly feet in that apartment.) Our new place is nice, every member we've talked to about us tells us that the woman of the house is a super neat freak and that we will have to run a very tight ship.
This was a good week for the work. We have another woman on date for this month, she will definitely achieve her goal. Success is always nice to have. Apparently our zone is going to break some mission records on baptisms this month. We have a few more lined up which is nice.
I was looking at the different blogs and it sounds like everyone is having quite the time right now. New York looked real neat. And DC as well. Fun fact Whit and Cody, that weird shell thing you had on your blog looks exactly like something I've eaten on the mission. Spot on. Not terrible tasting, but it felt like it was swimming around for a while.
Happy belated birthday to whit, my bad, I forgot. Hopefully all of your dreams came true.
Mike, congrats on your television stardom.
My health is finally more or less normal. This last week a got a pretty terrible rash over most of my body so it was sort of one thing after another. Through the use of a lot of benedryl I was able to go through the week in a mostly itch free fog. Sister Greer was a little exacerbated with me and my body's increasing problems. But I think I'm all good now so it should be steady sailing.
Well, life is good here. I am enjoying the work and I love hearing from yall. The church is true and the Lord hears our prayers. I love yall very much.
Con amor,
Elder Richards
Well, we have succesfully moved to our new residence. My apologies but I do not know the address, Sheffield Road that much I know. I would imagine the area code is the same, and I'm still in Basin City. I'll have to verify that, but I think that's what it is. It took us 2 car fulls to get everything there. We could have gotten all our stuff in just one, but then there's the issue of all the crap every missionary before you has left behind. This includes a guitar, weights, a million vhs tapes, and other fun things. Our new place seems pretty nice. We've yet to sleep in it because last night we were in the zone leaders' apartment for some early morning training. I slept about as well to be expected (there are a lot of diseased and smelly feet in that apartment.) Our new place is nice, every member we've talked to about us tells us that the woman of the house is a super neat freak and that we will have to run a very tight ship.
This was a good week for the work. We have another woman on date for this month, she will definitely achieve her goal. Success is always nice to have. Apparently our zone is going to break some mission records on baptisms this month. We have a few more lined up which is nice.
I was looking at the different blogs and it sounds like everyone is having quite the time right now. New York looked real neat. And DC as well. Fun fact Whit and Cody, that weird shell thing you had on your blog looks exactly like something I've eaten on the mission. Spot on. Not terrible tasting, but it felt like it was swimming around for a while.
Happy belated birthday to whit, my bad, I forgot. Hopefully all of your dreams came true.
Mike, congrats on your television stardom.
My health is finally more or less normal. This last week a got a pretty terrible rash over most of my body so it was sort of one thing after another. Through the use of a lot of benedryl I was able to go through the week in a mostly itch free fog. Sister Greer was a little exacerbated with me and my body's increasing problems. But I think I'm all good now so it should be steady sailing.
Well, life is good here. I am enjoying the work and I love hearing from yall. The church is true and the Lord hears our prayers. I love yall very much.
Con amor,
Elder Richards
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
5 mins
Hello One and All,
Well, it was great talking to everyone on Sunday. And it's also fantastic being out working again. Nothing of note has happened in the past two days. Also all of my various missionary activities on the computer have eaten up my time. I have about 5 minutes left. But know that I will write a lot next week. I love you all and the church is true. Also mom, thanks for the birthday montage, it was fun. I guess I HAVE always been this good looking.
Love,
Elder Richards
Well, it was great talking to everyone on Sunday. And it's also fantastic being out working again. Nothing of note has happened in the past two days. Also all of my various missionary activities on the computer have eaten up my time. I have about 5 minutes left. But know that I will write a lot next week. I love you all and the church is true. Also mom, thanks for the birthday montage, it was fun. I guess I HAVE always been this good looking.
Love,
Elder Richards
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Happy May
Hello One and All,
Well, I suppose first thing's first. Transfer info: Both Elder Bao and I will remain here in Basin City and Connell. Although about halfway through may we will be moving to another member's home, that keeps happening to me. I guess the members can only put up with me for 2 transfers, no more.
So today is my big day and the 1st was Elder Bao's big day. So we've had fun. I suprised Elder Bao by secretly asking Sister Davidson (that family we had fhe with) to bake him a cake. Then they made me a cake yesterday. They are a really cool family. I'll have to tell yall about lastnight on sunday.
Alberto's baptism went through, another thing that if you want you can ask me about. So this last transfer was a good one, 6 baptisms. We will have a bunch this tranfer as well. Exciting times.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.
Sorry there's not much meat and potatoes in this email, but I just can't seem to summon the will power to write when I'll talk to yall in a week.
Well I love yall, have a good week, and we'll talk later.
Love,
Elder Richards
Well, I suppose first thing's first. Transfer info: Both Elder Bao and I will remain here in Basin City and Connell. Although about halfway through may we will be moving to another member's home, that keeps happening to me. I guess the members can only put up with me for 2 transfers, no more.
So today is my big day and the 1st was Elder Bao's big day. So we've had fun. I suprised Elder Bao by secretly asking Sister Davidson (that family we had fhe with) to bake him a cake. Then they made me a cake yesterday. They are a really cool family. I'll have to tell yall about lastnight on sunday.
Alberto's baptism went through, another thing that if you want you can ask me about. So this last transfer was a good one, 6 baptisms. We will have a bunch this tranfer as well. Exciting times.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.
Sorry there's not much meat and potatoes in this email, but I just can't seem to summon the will power to write when I'll talk to yall in a week.
Well I love yall, have a good week, and we'll talk later.
Love,
Elder Richards
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