Hello one and all,
Ok, so first of all sorry for not emailing yesterday. On Monday during district conference we were told that President and Sister Greer were coming to town yesterday to do interviews, so our Pday got bumped to today. Sorry if that caused any concerns. So, my week has been pretty good. We have a few baptisms coming up, Eloisa next Friday and Bob (the guy in fossil) Nov. 6th. Life in the field is good. Thank you very much mom for talking with Ricardo and Haley, I do appreciate it. Unfortunately off the top of my head I do not know the members address I live with. I'll get that to yall next week, and it's looking like I'll be here for at least another transfer, So I'll probably be here for a while.
I'm glad you enjoyed the old senior video mom. That was a lot of fun to make. I remember when he put it up on YouTube copyright people made him take down the original credit sequence which was really cool, so hopefully he got to put up the original.
So yeah, I have my bike, but we don't use bikes here, so it's in the garage. Some other area though I'm sure it'll come in handy, speaking of purchases. On Monday I bought a pretty nice GPS at walmart for just under 100. I was wondering if maybe I could get reimbursed as a early Christmas present? It will definitely help me out. So one fear I have, it's a very good chance that I'll be training next transfer. I'd get a Spanish elder who has 6 weeks less of Spanish experience than me, and I would be in charge. So that's kind of a terrifying concept, but we'll see what the Lord wants in a few weeks.
So Elder Montoya goes home at the end of this transfer, and it turns out that he's from Houston, only about 40 min away from us, in Humble. So I'll give him the phone number and address, and if yall want you can have him over for dinner some time and hear about the area I'm in. Should be fun, and he says he'd like to meet yall.
President Greer says the other elders I came in with are doing good, Elders Tom and Hansen. Dad to answer your questions, we do our laundry at the members home we live in, we email in a library, and we only drive. I'm in the Hermiston area and living in Boardmen. So far on Pdays we've just taken it easy in Boardmen. Today we picked apples in the backyard for the Olsens (our "host" family). The fruit here is very good and fresh. I had several apples while working, then we washed the car and that's been about it so far. Next week we're going to go to Hermiston for zone pday and that should be pretty fun. The work is about 60/40 when it comes to English to spanish. Mostly in English, but there's still plenty of Spanish to have. Well, I think that just about covers everything, I love you all and thank you for the emails mom and dad and Grandpa. In the mean time I probably better write president. Les amo.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Finally in the Field
First off business for you mom, the girl's name is Haley Parker, thanks very much, also if you could give Ricardo a little motivation. Also when it comes to sending mail, if you could make my mission address known to the masses, that's how I get mail. They just forward it from the office.
Ok, it is good to be in the field. So Tuesday morning we flew out in a real small plane. Then almost 2 hours later we landed in Pasco Washington airport that had to be smaller than Sartartia Middle School. 14 or 15 of us flew out on the same plane, 4 of us were Spanish speakers. That night we had meetings with President/Sister Greer, the AP's and Senior Couple. I love the Greer's they are really great to us and care deeply for us. We got to walk down to the Temple there, small but really beautiful. That night all the elders went and stayed at the AP's apartment in bunk beds and floor mats. Then the next day our trainers drove from all over the mission to pick us up.
I'm down in Oregon, a real nice area. My trainer is Elder Montoya is great. He's a native Mexican so he helps a lot with the language. We get along great and have had mild success in teaching. This is his last transfer so he heads home real soon. After he leaves I'm not too sure what I'll do. We live with a nice older couple from the English ward we attend. As far as the split of lessons we teach in languages it's probably 60/40 English to Spanish. And as far as Spanish here goes, well I don't understand too much. If I can get them to slow down and speak to me like a slow child, I can usually understand, but that doesn't happen too much. The tricky part is hearing where one word ends and the other begins, but it's slowly but surely getting better. Although, I do love the Spanglish lessons, I can understand almost everything in those. My first day I couldn't understand a word, I very slowly improving.
There's this one family in the Spanish branch, they're recent converts the Castinetas, I absolutely love them. The first time I met them they were a little unsure because I was replacing their Elder who baptized them. But we've visited with them several times before and they have since adopted me into the family and shown a ton of love to me. They're great. We're teaching some people who will probably be baptized with some time, but the one I'm really excited about is Bob. Saturday night a Branch President from this branch out in a small town called Fossil (about an hour and half away from us) called and said there was this guy who had been attending church and wanted to meet the missionaries and be baptized.
So Sunday came and Elder Montoya went to our branch and I went with Hopper (A local priest) to Fossil to meet and teach Bob. We had to split because we had investigators coming to church that needed tending. So we get there and I don't think this place could be called a church, just a set apart meeting house. This used to be a little home that got converted. Also there were 9 people attending, including me, Hopper and Bob. They had one priesthood holder, the president, and the rest were sisters, save the president's son.
So after a nice testimony meeting where all of us shared something me, Hopper the president and one of the sisters went into a separate room with Bob. I proceeded to teach the first lesson with random input thrown in by the other people there. It went very well and the spirit was strong, at the end I invited Bob to be baptized, which he accepted, tomorrow Elder Montoya and I are going back down to fossil for the next lesson. I'm very excited about him. Because he's my first solo teachy.
There are a few other people that have been found since I've gotten here, but that's probably the neatest story. The members are real good about feeding us every night, and you can never leave the Castinetas trailer hungry. There's both ends of the spectrum here, we live in a nice house. But most of those we teach are in pretty humble conditions of trailers, or double wides, or whatnot. They are all very generous and kind, just living humbly.
Elder Montoya and I have both been sick this week, but are slowly improving and feeling better, so that's good. I think that's about it from this end. I was quite pleased to hear about Austin winning BOA, go Bulldogs! You'll have to go see a football game and tell me how they look. Hopefully everyone is doing well. Hey Whit, here's a favor You should do me. If you would be so kind as to send me copies of the prayer cycle, adagio for strings, appellation springs, things like that that are appropriate, that would be super awesome. Well I better go, but I love you all and look forward to the work and language progressing.
Ok, it is good to be in the field. So Tuesday morning we flew out in a real small plane. Then almost 2 hours later we landed in Pasco Washington airport that had to be smaller than Sartartia Middle School. 14 or 15 of us flew out on the same plane, 4 of us were Spanish speakers. That night we had meetings with President/Sister Greer, the AP's and Senior Couple. I love the Greer's they are really great to us and care deeply for us. We got to walk down to the Temple there, small but really beautiful. That night all the elders went and stayed at the AP's apartment in bunk beds and floor mats. Then the next day our trainers drove from all over the mission to pick us up.
I'm down in Oregon, a real nice area. My trainer is Elder Montoya is great. He's a native Mexican so he helps a lot with the language. We get along great and have had mild success in teaching. This is his last transfer so he heads home real soon. After he leaves I'm not too sure what I'll do. We live with a nice older couple from the English ward we attend. As far as the split of lessons we teach in languages it's probably 60/40 English to Spanish. And as far as Spanish here goes, well I don't understand too much. If I can get them to slow down and speak to me like a slow child, I can usually understand, but that doesn't happen too much. The tricky part is hearing where one word ends and the other begins, but it's slowly but surely getting better. Although, I do love the Spanglish lessons, I can understand almost everything in those. My first day I couldn't understand a word, I very slowly improving.
There's this one family in the Spanish branch, they're recent converts the Castinetas, I absolutely love them. The first time I met them they were a little unsure because I was replacing their Elder who baptized them. But we've visited with them several times before and they have since adopted me into the family and shown a ton of love to me. They're great. We're teaching some people who will probably be baptized with some time, but the one I'm really excited about is Bob. Saturday night a Branch President from this branch out in a small town called Fossil (about an hour and half away from us) called and said there was this guy who had been attending church and wanted to meet the missionaries and be baptized.
So Sunday came and Elder Montoya went to our branch and I went with Hopper (A local priest) to Fossil to meet and teach Bob. We had to split because we had investigators coming to church that needed tending. So we get there and I don't think this place could be called a church, just a set apart meeting house. This used to be a little home that got converted. Also there were 9 people attending, including me, Hopper and Bob. They had one priesthood holder, the president, and the rest were sisters, save the president's son.
So after a nice testimony meeting where all of us shared something me, Hopper the president and one of the sisters went into a separate room with Bob. I proceeded to teach the first lesson with random input thrown in by the other people there. It went very well and the spirit was strong, at the end I invited Bob to be baptized, which he accepted, tomorrow Elder Montoya and I are going back down to fossil for the next lesson. I'm very excited about him. Because he's my first solo teachy.
There are a few other people that have been found since I've gotten here, but that's probably the neatest story. The members are real good about feeding us every night, and you can never leave the Castinetas trailer hungry. There's both ends of the spectrum here, we live in a nice house. But most of those we teach are in pretty humble conditions of trailers, or double wides, or whatnot. They are all very generous and kind, just living humbly.
Elder Montoya and I have both been sick this week, but are slowly improving and feeling better, so that's good. I think that's about it from this end. I was quite pleased to hear about Austin winning BOA, go Bulldogs! You'll have to go see a football game and tell me how they look. Hopefully everyone is doing well. Hey Whit, here's a favor You should do me. If you would be so kind as to send me copies of the prayer cycle, adagio for strings, appellation springs, things like that that are appropriate, that would be super awesome. Well I better go, but I love you all and look forward to the work and language progressing.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Heads up ...we've got (snail) mail!
Hello all, I made it to Washington alright. As of right now I am in the AP's (Area President's) apartment with maybe 20ish other missionaries. Tomorrow is transfer day so we'll get our trainers then. I'm the only newbie going to the Boardman area/Hermiston Zone, that's in Oregon. I'm way excited because my trainer (Elder Montoya) is a native speaker. I can't wait to meet him tomorrow.
I absolutely love my Mission President and his wife. They are so loving. When we got to the airport they were there to meet us and send off 15 missionaries. It was really neat to see all the teary eyed missionaries leave. It was cool, we flew in on this tiny plane. Also we got to see the Colombia River Temple. It is so beautiful. I got some awesome pictures.
Tuesday is our P. Day (Preparation Day) for future reference. It's the day when we clean our apartment, shop, do laundry and write letters, etc. Well, I need to go get a shower in before lights out. Oh , before I forget ...for packages they have to be sent U.S. Postal Priority Mail because UPS, FedEx, or DHL can't be forwarded from the mission office to the missionaries. Which apparently is where we're supposed to get our mail from. Once I find out my address letters can be sent directly to my apartment. I'll clarify that with my trainer tomorrow.
Anywho I have to go, but it was so good talking to yall today. Sorry I couldn't say good bye to you Mom. I love yall so much, and thank you for your sacrifices.
Love,
Elder Steve
I absolutely love my Mission President and his wife. They are so loving. When we got to the airport they were there to meet us and send off 15 missionaries. It was really neat to see all the teary eyed missionaries leave. It was cool, we flew in on this tiny plane. Also we got to see the Colombia River Temple. It is so beautiful. I got some awesome pictures.
Tuesday is our P. Day (Preparation Day) for future reference. It's the day when we clean our apartment, shop, do laundry and write letters, etc. Well, I need to go get a shower in before lights out. Oh , before I forget ...for packages they have to be sent U.S. Postal Priority Mail because UPS, FedEx, or DHL can't be forwarded from the mission office to the missionaries. Which apparently is where we're supposed to get our mail from. Once I find out my address letters can be sent directly to my apartment. I'll clarify that with my trainer tomorrow.
Anywho I have to go, but it was so good talking to yall today. Sorry I couldn't say good bye to you Mom. I love yall so much, and thank you for your sacrifices.
Love,
Elder Steve
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Last MTC Email
Happy October Everyone!
Thanks to all who wrote letters, they really do brighten one's day here. Now then, the last week was longer than all the others, but it's been good. We've had a slightly different schedule around here, what with departure meetings and whatnot. We're all very excited for conference. Be sure to keep an eye out for me. I'm really excited to attend in person for the first time. Singing in conference, this is truly a once in a life time experience.
Speaking of church leadership, I got a chance to watch Pres. Monson's talk from the Relief Society broadcast (on Joy Shaerrer's recommendation) and it was phenomenal. So I highly encourage any one who reads this and hasn't seen it to go check it out at lds.org, or mormon.com, whichever site it's at. (Speaking of the Schaerrers, mom, could you thank Joy for me for the letter she sent. Let her know I'll be responding when life becomes less crazy.)
Now a belated happy birthday to Mom and Dad, I hope it was great. If they haven't arrived yet yall should each be getting a letter from me soon. I don't know how dependable yalls mail lady is. Tell Elder Hall hello for me, also, one of the Hermanas in my district Hermana Van Taendren is going to Houston South. So if you ever see the Spanish sisters go say hello and see if it's her. I'm sure she'll have a story or two about me to share with yall. Before I forget, mom and dad: on Tuesday I will have the chance to call yall from the airport before leaving. I report to the travel office at 8 in the morning so I'll probably get to the airport at 9:30 or 10 maybe. So I guess just be available Tuesday morning. I look forward to having a quick chat.
I hosted again this week. It was fun, the mothers weren't too upset so that was good. This past week I have had several personal English fasts where I go 24 hours of only speaking Spanish. They're certainly a challenge, but they really do make a difference. We had a great experience at the temple today. I look forward to my first temple session off the mission.
Today we got word on the audition some of us did a month or so ago. So it turns out we'll be singing at the departure devotional this Sunday. So they finally called us in. Alright, that's all I have to report on. But I have a homework assignment for all the immediate family: I leave Tuesday morning, so I ask that all of you write me through dearelder one last time before I leave the MTC. For some of you this won't be an issue I know, but I would really appreciate it if I could here from yall one last time.
Thank you so much everyone for your love and support I love you all dearly and pray for you daily. I cannot wait to get out there in Washington and start doing some good. It's been a long 2 months, and I can't wait for the rest of my mission to begin.
Love,
Elder Richards
Thanks to all who wrote letters, they really do brighten one's day here. Now then, the last week was longer than all the others, but it's been good. We've had a slightly different schedule around here, what with departure meetings and whatnot. We're all very excited for conference. Be sure to keep an eye out for me. I'm really excited to attend in person for the first time. Singing in conference, this is truly a once in a life time experience.
Speaking of church leadership, I got a chance to watch Pres. Monson's talk from the Relief Society broadcast (on Joy Shaerrer's recommendation) and it was phenomenal. So I highly encourage any one who reads this and hasn't seen it to go check it out at lds.org, or mormon.com, whichever site it's at. (Speaking of the Schaerrers, mom, could you thank Joy for me for the letter she sent. Let her know I'll be responding when life becomes less crazy.)
Now a belated happy birthday to Mom and Dad, I hope it was great. If they haven't arrived yet yall should each be getting a letter from me soon. I don't know how dependable yalls mail lady is. Tell Elder Hall hello for me, also, one of the Hermanas in my district Hermana Van Taendren is going to Houston South. So if you ever see the Spanish sisters go say hello and see if it's her. I'm sure she'll have a story or two about me to share with yall. Before I forget, mom and dad: on Tuesday I will have the chance to call yall from the airport before leaving. I report to the travel office at 8 in the morning so I'll probably get to the airport at 9:30 or 10 maybe. So I guess just be available Tuesday morning. I look forward to having a quick chat.
I hosted again this week. It was fun, the mothers weren't too upset so that was good. This past week I have had several personal English fasts where I go 24 hours of only speaking Spanish. They're certainly a challenge, but they really do make a difference. We had a great experience at the temple today. I look forward to my first temple session off the mission.
Today we got word on the audition some of us did a month or so ago. So it turns out we'll be singing at the departure devotional this Sunday. So they finally called us in. Alright, that's all I have to report on. But I have a homework assignment for all the immediate family: I leave Tuesday morning, so I ask that all of you write me through dearelder one last time before I leave the MTC. For some of you this won't be an issue I know, but I would really appreciate it if I could here from yall one last time.
Thank you so much everyone for your love and support I love you all dearly and pray for you daily. I cannot wait to get out there in Washington and start doing some good. It's been a long 2 months, and I can't wait for the rest of my mission to begin.
Love,
Elder Richards
Friday, September 24, 2010
Muy Muy Casi
How is everyone doing? Thanks for the letter Dad and Mike and Grandpa. Other than those on Monday, it's been kind of a letter draught for a while. But that's ok. Well things are good. We got our flight plans last night, and I'm out of here a week from Tuesday! 10 days, oh man, almost there. I can not wait. We leave the MTC Tuesday morning at 8:00 I think, and then we fly straight to Pasdo(?). It was something like that. I don't remember because I don't have the print out with me at the moment. And then from there either a church representative or someone from the mission will come pick us up. I assume it'll be the President and his wife, but we will see in 10 days.
The other real cool news is that I got into the special choir going to priesthood session next weekend. So I'll get to go to conference and be on the stand. All the men keep an eye out during the special musical numbers. My companion Elder Hansen is also going, along with two others from our district.
Oh a question for Dad: when it comes to buying a bike in Washington, I assume I should just use my debit card on that? Mike and Jess, thanks for the letter, my teacher got a kick out of some of your stories. Also that's pretty crazy about all the various accidents with the kids. I hope everyone is doing all right. Congrats to Ben for moving up with the smart kids. Whit, your reception looked good. My favorite picture is the one of everyone jumping. Eric, I hope all goes well with your travels and time in Iraq. (Actually Stephen ...he'll be in Afghanistan!) Mom and Dad, how's the ward doing? Still mostly children ...primary aged kids? So, what are the goings on in every body's life? Whit and Cody, how goes the settling into the apartment?
I've been reading a lot of the BoM the last few days because I'm trying to finish it before I leave the MTC. I'm rediscovering some of my favorite passages, for example 2 Nephi 22. Love it. The gift of the spirit is fantastic. Those crazy Isiah chapters make a fair amount of sense this time round.
Well, I love you all and appreciate your love and support. I can't really think of anything else major that has gone on around here. Oh, this last Wednesday I hosted new missionaries. That means I was the guy at the curb who dragged the missionaries away from the crying mothers. They weren't too bad, but there were still plenty of tears. Very different from my drop off experience which consisted of: "Well, thanks for the ride Whit. I'll see ya in 2 years." And then skipping off. I guess not everyone is as stoic as our family. But yes, I am very excited to leave. The MTC is great, but I can't wait to get out there and teach real people and do real things. I am super excited. I love you all. Thanks for your love and support. Keep an eye out for me at conference.
Love,
Elder Richards
The other real cool news is that I got into the special choir going to priesthood session next weekend. So I'll get to go to conference and be on the stand. All the men keep an eye out during the special musical numbers. My companion Elder Hansen is also going, along with two others from our district.
Oh a question for Dad: when it comes to buying a bike in Washington, I assume I should just use my debit card on that? Mike and Jess, thanks for the letter, my teacher got a kick out of some of your stories. Also that's pretty crazy about all the various accidents with the kids. I hope everyone is doing all right. Congrats to Ben for moving up with the smart kids. Whit, your reception looked good. My favorite picture is the one of everyone jumping. Eric, I hope all goes well with your travels and time in Iraq. (Actually Stephen ...he'll be in Afghanistan!) Mom and Dad, how's the ward doing? Still mostly children ...primary aged kids? So, what are the goings on in every body's life? Whit and Cody, how goes the settling into the apartment?
I've been reading a lot of the BoM the last few days because I'm trying to finish it before I leave the MTC. I'm rediscovering some of my favorite passages, for example 2 Nephi 22. Love it. The gift of the spirit is fantastic. Those crazy Isiah chapters make a fair amount of sense this time round.
Well, I love you all and appreciate your love and support. I can't really think of anything else major that has gone on around here. Oh, this last Wednesday I hosted new missionaries. That means I was the guy at the curb who dragged the missionaries away from the crying mothers. They weren't too bad, but there were still plenty of tears. Very different from my drop off experience which consisted of: "Well, thanks for the ride Whit. I'll see ya in 2 years." And then skipping off. I guess not everyone is as stoic as our family. But yes, I am very excited to leave. The MTC is great, but I can't wait to get out there and teach real people and do real things. I am super excited. I love you all. Thanks for your love and support. Keep an eye out for me at conference.
Love,
Elder Richards
Friday, September 10, 2010
The life and times of Elder Richards
Hello One and All,
Well this week has been an eventful week to say the least. One of the Elders in my bedroom and his companion (who are going to Kennewick as well) we are all very good friends. His family is up in Riverton and very close. His mom and sister have practically adopted the rest of us and it is very nice. We know they love us. They correspond with each of us regularly, makes one feel good.
He has been quite ill for the last 2 weeks or so. Throwing up and going to the sick bay and repeating the process over and over. So we've all been tag teaming and staying with him in the bedroom so his companion wouldn't miss so much class. So that's been ...fun I guess. Anywho, he seems to be all over it now, so that is good. Another Elder went in for surgery today to get his tonsils and something else removed. Apparently they were so large that they were causing him to have sleep apnea. His companion says the procedure went well, so he's going to stay in the hospital tonight and then come back "home" (to the MTC) tomorrow. After the weekend he'll go to the sick bay where he will stay for a little while. Last night all the Elders in the district gave him a blessing. That is one, Elder offered it and the rest of us participated. I have to say, it was one of the most powerful blessings I've ever been a part of.
Now onto the big news of the week. So last week I mentioned in the email how we were going to get a new district leader and I was praying to dodge that bullet. Well once again God has revealed his sense of humor. One of the Elders was made district leader and me and my companion were made Zone Leaders. I did not see that one coming. So this has been a very busy week for us. We had 2 new districts come in so we had to orientate 22 elders while we were still learning what to do.
Fun fact, my old roommate (the one in the single room last year) is now in my zone, so that was neat. I've also seen another of my room mates around as well. So me and my companion have to go to different meetings, orientate new elders and sisters, plan zone activities, and maintain a general sense of order within the zone. The last one includes patrolling the residence halls. This is particularly challenging because we now have districts on the top floor with us, on the third floor, and the basement; and we have to go check on everyone every night. It's all right, I really enjoy the opportunity to get to know everyone and be a source of advice and help to them.
Thanks everyone for the mail. Mom, I got the package. Thanks very much. I especially loved the pictures, that was way awesome. All of my roommates were way excited to see pictures of my friends and family. Awesome wedding dress Whit. Mike thanks so much for the kids' card, it's the envy of the district. Eric mom says you're doing well, that's good. I hope all of y'all are doing well. I am not 100% whole right now, but I feel just fine enough. It doesn't detract from my learning that is.
Oh also mom, I'm assuming that was you that got in contact with Andrew and told him about dear elder because I got one from him the other day. Thanks very much. If you could let him know through email for me that I am allowed to respond it will just take a little longer because of snail mail. So just let him know a letter's going to be going his way soon. Um ...I think I've touched on everything. Hopefully everyone has gotten the letters that I have sent. Thank you everyone for your mail, prayers and support. It means the world to me. I love you all and pray for you daily.
Love,
Elder Richards
Well this week has been an eventful week to say the least. One of the Elders in my bedroom and his companion (who are going to Kennewick as well) we are all very good friends. His family is up in Riverton and very close. His mom and sister have practically adopted the rest of us and it is very nice. We know they love us. They correspond with each of us regularly, makes one feel good.
He has been quite ill for the last 2 weeks or so. Throwing up and going to the sick bay and repeating the process over and over. So we've all been tag teaming and staying with him in the bedroom so his companion wouldn't miss so much class. So that's been ...fun I guess. Anywho, he seems to be all over it now, so that is good. Another Elder went in for surgery today to get his tonsils and something else removed. Apparently they were so large that they were causing him to have sleep apnea. His companion says the procedure went well, so he's going to stay in the hospital tonight and then come back "home" (to the MTC) tomorrow. After the weekend he'll go to the sick bay where he will stay for a little while. Last night all the Elders in the district gave him a blessing. That is one, Elder offered it and the rest of us participated. I have to say, it was one of the most powerful blessings I've ever been a part of.
Now onto the big news of the week. So last week I mentioned in the email how we were going to get a new district leader and I was praying to dodge that bullet. Well once again God has revealed his sense of humor. One of the Elders was made district leader and me and my companion were made Zone Leaders. I did not see that one coming. So this has been a very busy week for us. We had 2 new districts come in so we had to orientate 22 elders while we were still learning what to do.
Fun fact, my old roommate (the one in the single room last year) is now in my zone, so that was neat. I've also seen another of my room mates around as well. So me and my companion have to go to different meetings, orientate new elders and sisters, plan zone activities, and maintain a general sense of order within the zone. The last one includes patrolling the residence halls. This is particularly challenging because we now have districts on the top floor with us, on the third floor, and the basement; and we have to go check on everyone every night. It's all right, I really enjoy the opportunity to get to know everyone and be a source of advice and help to them.
Thanks everyone for the mail. Mom, I got the package. Thanks very much. I especially loved the pictures, that was way awesome. All of my roommates were way excited to see pictures of my friends and family. Awesome wedding dress Whit. Mike thanks so much for the kids' card, it's the envy of the district. Eric mom says you're doing well, that's good. I hope all of y'all are doing well. I am not 100% whole right now, but I feel just fine enough. It doesn't detract from my learning that is.
Oh also mom, I'm assuming that was you that got in contact with Andrew and told him about dear elder because I got one from him the other day. Thanks very much. If you could let him know through email for me that I am allowed to respond it will just take a little longer because of snail mail. So just let him know a letter's going to be going his way soon. Um ...I think I've touched on everything. Hopefully everyone has gotten the letters that I have sent. Thank you everyone for your mail, prayers and support. It means the world to me. I love you all and pray for you daily.
Love,
Elder Richards
Friday, September 3, 2010
Adventures in Provo
Hello All!
So I goofed and forgot something big about last week: The devotional speaker was Elder Holland. He did a way good job and was pretty vocal as you would expect. One of the funniest things he said was how we had to teach what was in PMG (Preach My Gospel) and not leave anything else he says: "This isn't burger king, you can't have it your way, we don't hold the pickles!" This week Elder Hinkley spoke, he also did a very good job. Thank you all who sent letters this week. Thanks mom for those addresses.
Various bugs continue to travel through the district, it's like a freaking petri dish around here! But it's ok, I have not been incapacitated yet. Our zone got a new district this week and we get two more next week. The hermanas are really hoping for more sisters because they are the only three left. Some time this week me and my companion will be switching roles and I'll be senior companion for the rest of the time. Also the District leader will be released and a new one will be called. I pray I dodge that bullet.
Whit and Cody, it sounds like y'all had a blast. I hope you got me an awesome Bahamas souvenir ...nah I kid, I kid. Mike, I was glad to hear about your work issues being resolved, yeah blessings! Eric, I'm sure you're still doing good from the last time I heard from you. So lets see, the wedding reception is this weekend, tonight perhaps? That should be a lot of fun! I'm sure it'll be nice to finally get all those stressors out of the way.
Every week on Monday my district goes to the TRC (training resource center) where we practice different teaching scenarios. This week will be our first time teaching officially in Spanish. So we have been practicing our Spanish a lot. Yesterday we taught the first lesson in Spanish two times. It was our first time using only Spanish, no half and half, and no Spanglish. A half hour or so after the first lesson I turned to my companion and pointed out that we had just taught in Spanish relatively successfully. It was quite an eye opener because it is hard to see the progress day to day. But when one of those big milestones comes along you realize how far you've come.
At this point I have to encourage everyone to go to the temple. Going once a week here has really made a difference and filled my life with blessings. So yeah, I challenge all y'all to go much more often. It'll pay off I promise. Still no word as to when the MTC music director lady wants us to sing before a devotional/fireside. She said we'd all get a letter with instructions the week of the assignment, so we will see.
3 times a week different members of the Branch Presidency come to visit us in the residence hall. It is a wonderful thing and shows us how much they really care. They all have such happy and loving attitudes. Last Sunday my district got called on to go provide the sacrament to the cafeteria staff. So after our sacrament meeting we went to a classroom with the branch president and there were about 5 or 6 staffers there, and we put on a real nice little sacrament meeting. Me and my companion both spoke for five or so minutes. He did a great job, mine was more just rambling on about I don't know what for a while.
The weather has really started to cool down here and I've gotten some use out of my sweaters. It's a little frustrating with our teacher situation. So with our last two teachers they were out of town and sick a lot, so we've had a ton of subs. Now they have both left and we have two new teachers, however their schedules do not line up, so one of them is going to have to leave and we'll go back to district limbo with a bunch of subs until they find a permanent replacement. But all is well in Zion, the church is still true. Pday is always a relaxing treat, the only down side is we don't have gym time, so we have to go a day without Volleyball.
At this point there's five minutes left and I'm out of stuff to say. I love you all and appreciate your prayers and contributions. Thank you so much.
Love,
Elder Richards
So I goofed and forgot something big about last week: The devotional speaker was Elder Holland. He did a way good job and was pretty vocal as you would expect. One of the funniest things he said was how we had to teach what was in PMG (Preach My Gospel) and not leave anything else he says: "This isn't burger king, you can't have it your way, we don't hold the pickles!" This week Elder Hinkley spoke, he also did a very good job. Thank you all who sent letters this week. Thanks mom for those addresses.
Various bugs continue to travel through the district, it's like a freaking petri dish around here! But it's ok, I have not been incapacitated yet. Our zone got a new district this week and we get two more next week. The hermanas are really hoping for more sisters because they are the only three left. Some time this week me and my companion will be switching roles and I'll be senior companion for the rest of the time. Also the District leader will be released and a new one will be called. I pray I dodge that bullet.
Whit and Cody, it sounds like y'all had a blast. I hope you got me an awesome Bahamas souvenir ...nah I kid, I kid. Mike, I was glad to hear about your work issues being resolved, yeah blessings! Eric, I'm sure you're still doing good from the last time I heard from you. So lets see, the wedding reception is this weekend, tonight perhaps? That should be a lot of fun! I'm sure it'll be nice to finally get all those stressors out of the way.
Every week on Monday my district goes to the TRC (training resource center) where we practice different teaching scenarios. This week will be our first time teaching officially in Spanish. So we have been practicing our Spanish a lot. Yesterday we taught the first lesson in Spanish two times. It was our first time using only Spanish, no half and half, and no Spanglish. A half hour or so after the first lesson I turned to my companion and pointed out that we had just taught in Spanish relatively successfully. It was quite an eye opener because it is hard to see the progress day to day. But when one of those big milestones comes along you realize how far you've come.
At this point I have to encourage everyone to go to the temple. Going once a week here has really made a difference and filled my life with blessings. So yeah, I challenge all y'all to go much more often. It'll pay off I promise. Still no word as to when the MTC music director lady wants us to sing before a devotional/fireside. She said we'd all get a letter with instructions the week of the assignment, so we will see.
3 times a week different members of the Branch Presidency come to visit us in the residence hall. It is a wonderful thing and shows us how much they really care. They all have such happy and loving attitudes. Last Sunday my district got called on to go provide the sacrament to the cafeteria staff. So after our sacrament meeting we went to a classroom with the branch president and there were about 5 or 6 staffers there, and we put on a real nice little sacrament meeting. Me and my companion both spoke for five or so minutes. He did a great job, mine was more just rambling on about I don't know what for a while.
The weather has really started to cool down here and I've gotten some use out of my sweaters. It's a little frustrating with our teacher situation. So with our last two teachers they were out of town and sick a lot, so we've had a ton of subs. Now they have both left and we have two new teachers, however their schedules do not line up, so one of them is going to have to leave and we'll go back to district limbo with a bunch of subs until they find a permanent replacement. But all is well in Zion, the church is still true. Pday is always a relaxing treat, the only down side is we don't have gym time, so we have to go a day without Volleyball.
At this point there's five minutes left and I'm out of stuff to say. I love you all and appreciate your prayers and contributions. Thank you so much.
Love,
Elder Richards
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