Happy day!! December 5, 2016

Sister Fa'a... I look so white....

You are right! That is the best news ever. What a beautiful answer to all the prayers we have had over the years!! That is so awesome! I am so excited for Jeff!!!!

Christmas season is definitely a busy one. Which is sad. In all the hustle and bustle I hope we don't forget about Christ and what this is really all about. And I hope that we are all able to light the world with His love this month. It's a great one. 

Anyway this week was a pretty good one.

Tuesday we went on exchanges. That was really fun for me. Being able to get out of trainer mode for a day was really nice. Not that I don't love it but boy, it's stressful. So I went to Denver North to be with Sister Fa'amausili. It was so much fun. I had a blast with her. She came out a transfer before me so we are kind of both in the same boat. It was great to talk to someone that has been out about the same time. We also had a lot of great lessons. I learned so much from her about how to teach and plan. It was just what I needed. Still working on implementing them but I'm trying. We taught this recent convert the Gospel of Jesus Christ using the bible videos and it was so cool. I love those bible videos. I also loved the story we shared for faith. The woman with the issue of blood is one of my favorite stories in the bible. I love that it says that Christ felt virtue leave him when all these people were touching him. He knew that someone had the faith to be healed and was. It was great. I loved it. We also had a cool experience with a potential investigator. We knocked on the door and he let us in because he wanted to tell us about a cool experience he had. So the sisters had talked to him about a month ago and he was really struggling with things and when the sisters had left, he got a call from a friend. His friend told him that God wanted him to give Julian some money and it was just what Julian needed to make it through. It was so cool to hear that story. He then thought there was a reason we came back. But he said "Mormon was not his cup of tea". Just you wait sir. The Spirit can do wonderful things. It was just funny to me too cause he knew there was a reason we showed up but he was blind to the possibilities. So that was cool. We taught some other people and laughed and just had so much fun. It was great. One last thing. We taught another recent convert that was just so cute. We were sharing the Christmas video with her and I just felt so much love for Christ and so much power from the light that He brings to our lives. 

Wednesday was a pretty great day. Kind of long but good. We ran into a less active member that we didn't know was on our list but she let us share the Christmas message with her. Her story is interesting to me but I am not the judge. She was super nice though. But the best part of the day was when we found Lili. She was a potential in our book and she let us in to share the Christmas message with her. She just loved it and really felt it was a sign that we came to her door. God is real, and I love Him. But we started talking about Church and she was so excited. She really wanted to come to Church and even stay for all 3 hours (sadly, she didn't). But after we finished with a prayer she said that she felt the Spirit so strong. Even one of her kids did too. It was so cool. She already feels the Spirit and can recognize it. It was another cool experience. 

Thursday was BOMB. It was the start of the #LightTheWorld initiative. So all we did that day was a bunch of service. I love service. We even taught a couple of people too. Oh and guess what? I got to use a blower again. That made my life. But once again I forgot my camera and didn't get a picture... Lame. But it was fun. Then we taught one of our investigators named Delbert. He is an interesting character. But super sweet guy. His dad just died and he is really struggling with that. So I shared with him Alma 40:11-12 [11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.]and he just loved that. It was great. Then we taught another less active member but it was kind of frustrating cause she wouldn't listen to us but kept venting. It's annoying. But we just did a bunch of service for the rest of the night. We went to Santa's workshop and we were his elves for the night. It was so fun. And one of the senior couples took us out to dinner somewhere in Malley and it was so much fun. We talked about Malley and the good old days. I loved that place. Anyway it was a great day! Lots of fun.

Friday was a long day and not much happened. There was a moment during weekly planning when my companion tried to break my arm again and I went tumbling to the ground and landed on all of our books. And the chair came tumbling down on top of me. Good times. I have a nice little bruise. Good times. We did share the Christmas video with some 17 yr olds. That was fun. 

Saturday was a weird day. We had District Meeting. That was fun. We have two greenies in our district and it's just a lot of fun. But that is the extent of that day...

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week full of the light of Christ! Remember Him always! I love being a servant for Christ! Keep the faith!

Much love,

Sister Richards

We found a dog on the roof of a house just chillin

Mom I found your street!!!

Someone gave us this baby Christmas tree!!! It's so cute!!!!

The chair incident during weekly planning....

Baby it's cold outside November 28, 2016

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!! Ours was pretty good. 

This week was pretty rough, not gonna lie. But I feel that is partially because we are sweeping and have no idea who the Elders were teaching before, along with the Bishop (he also having no idea who the Elders were teaching before) so no help there. But it's been great. Definitely a learning experience. 

Tuesday we had a pretty interesting day. We had District Meeting and that was pretty fun. Our District Leader is Elder Bowers so we think we are going to call our district, the Bow Pow district. It's gonna be great. We have a lot of fun so this is going to be great. We had dinner with this cute old man that told us the cutest love story ever. Its about him and his new girlfriend. It's pretty cute cause they had dated a long time ago and then just recently they both lost their spouse and now they are planning on getting married. It was a fun story. Then we visited with Victoria and she is just amazing and my favorite person ever. She is just great. She is a convert and still just thirsts after knowledge of the Gospel. I love it. So we talked to her about the Plan of Salvation. It was pretty great!

Wednesday was a long day. And it started getting really cold here. But we talked to a lot of people so that was fun. We met this 16 yr old kid that let us talk to him about Jesus and how Christ can help him through anything. He looked like he was about to start crying! So we gave him a Book of Mormon and he read it right after we left. He wont answer us now but at least we were able to help him then. That was cool. Also it was fun because we were at a park so there were lots of people to talk to and I was going to talk to all of them no matter what. So we did and my companion would always just be like, "Sister I don't think..." or "Sister, what are you doing?" But I had fun talking to people in their cars and even those that don't speak English. Good times. We had dinner with a family that loves Ohio and they are my favorite!! It's always nice to know that there is someone that understands my love for Ohio things. Cool story: they made me buckeyes on Sunday and brought them for me. They also told me I did not have to share them with my companion or the Elders... But I did anyway. So many regrets cause now they are all gone. Oh well!! But that night we had a funny experience. Well, I thought it was funny, my companion was not amused. We went to contact a referral and it was like 7:45 at night so it was late and dark. But we knocked on the door and I hear this rustling in the kitchen drawers before this man answers the door but he was hiding something. Yeah he totally got a knife out to answer the door. So funny. But I saw it and made sure he knew we were missionaries right off so it was all good. 

Thursday was turkey day. We had a little zone meeting to go over the new Christmas initiative. This years' is very different. I really loved last Christmas' video. But this one is good too. But then we went to turkey lunch at the Harris'. They are super fun and the food was BOMB!! She made really good mashed potatoes too. The best I have had on my mission but still not as good as homes! :) But then we played some games with them. They had a pie eating contest that I wanted to join in but they did it after I had stuffed myself with chocolate pie. Lame. But it was still fun to watch. They had lots of people there too so it was just like being home. But then we went to hang out with Bishop and his family. That was fun. We taught them Restoration to help Sister Burke practice and it was really great. It just strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel on the earth. It truly is the greatest blessing ever! :) Then we visited with President and Sister Mendenhall for a bit since they are in our ward. I just love them. 

Friday was a slow day. I was way out of it and honestly don't even remember much of it. I haven't been sleeping well lately so I don't even know what happened. But we had a really great dinner with the Isom's. They are so cute. Very spiritual family. Love them. 

Saturday was a long day but we got to teach a couple of less active members, one of which gave us chocolate cake. It was divine. They are just sweet old ladies.

Sunday was a pretty good day. Church is great. I love getting that Spiritual boost from Church. And us four missionaries are apparently doing a musical number together cause Bishop said so. He is awesome. But we are singing my favorite, O Holy Night. But i'ts also fun because Elder Wood doesn't know how to sing. He has a great voice but he doesn't know how to sing bass. So it was fun trying to teach him and help him breath right and get the notes right. Elder Wood was probably overwhelmed. But I didn't really realize how much went into singing. It takes a lot. But it is easier when you grow up doing it. Love it. 

So hopefully we get some new investigators and I can keep my head on straight this week. I can't believe it's almost December! Where has the time gone??

But I love it. I love being a missionary and I love this G

ospel. I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Updike Family

Madison Family

Cutest girls in the world!

Lybbert Family

The saga of sweep training November 21

Well this week was an interesting one for sure. I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob! More like it stressed the crap out of me.

Tuesday was a lot of saying goodbye and packing. I don't know how but I have accumulated too much stuff. I know you are probably not surprised but it's true. Also on that note, I still have 5 cans of chili left over so no need to send me more. I do carry them everywhere with me though :)

Wednesday was a very long day. It was transfer day so I moved back up north and got my companion. Her name is Sister Burke and she is from Oregon. She is super cute and fun. We are still trying to adjust to each other but it's a work in progress. It was a very interesting day. Before I picked her up I looked through the area book and realized that there were no good notes and that we didn't even have a GPS. I realized we were flying blind. So then I totally broke down at the mission office after I picked up my companion cause I was stressed to the max. But there are so many wonderful people that came to my aid that day, so I am super blessed and grateful for the wonderful people in my life right now. I have come to love this mission so much it's going to be hard to leave. I honestly don't even really remember what happened that day cause I was way out of it. But we did have dinner with the sweetest lady ever. Her name is Victoria and she is wonderful. She is so sweet and funny. We already love her so much. And I already loved the area. There are definitely some sketch parts but I find it fun and exhilarating :) But then we just went home so I could figure out our lives and what the heck was going on. 

Thursday was a pretty good day. A little rough start but we had fun. Especially since it snowed that day. The first snow of the year! Yay. I was hoping the snow would wait as long as possible to get here, hoping that I would miss the worst parts of the winter here. But it will be great either way. We met with the RS president and found out that we really are flying blind because they just changed the ward boundaries and the area that we took over was part of the old ward. So no one knows the people in our area. But its been fun trying to figure it all out.

Friday was another pretty good day. We are really just trying to figure out who people are and how we can help them. Our Bishop is pretty awesome so I am excited about that. And this Ward hasn't had Sisters in a really long time so there are a lot of people here that are excited that we are here. We actually met a family, the Gines, and the moment we said we were the new sister missionaries in the area they let us in and the kids just jumped all over us. It was so cute. They are so cool. But it was just a great welcome to the Ward. 

Saturday we had a really cool experience. We found our first new investigator in the area. His name is Carlos and he is pretty cool. He is struggling with his marriage right now and said that he feels like we were meant to meet him that day. It was really cool. That hasn't happened in a long time and so it was just what I needed. And I wrote my testimony in a Book of Mormon and was praying really hard to give it to someone special and God answered my prayer. So I gave him that Book of Mormon and it was just a really great experience. I could feel the Spirit and God's love for him very strongly. I don't know if he will progress but at least I got to share the love. We also had an ice cream social for the Ward to meet all the new members. So there were a lot of people that I don't remember already but there are a lot of people that look really familiar to me too. I feel like I am back in Malley area. It's very similar. But I love it. So that was fun. The Gines kids ran to us to hug us and nearly knocked us down. It was great fun. 

Sunday was a little bit rough. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into and didn't really plan well for it. But it was good and the people here are nice. But we've got a lot of work to do. We went to contact a referral in this really scary part of town and it was so funny to me. My companion ran away a couple of times but we made it through. It's probably a bad thing that some things don't really scare me or keep me from going to certain places. But I will leave if I feel like we are unsafe. Other than that, nothing is gonna keep me from trying to talk to people.

So this week was a little crazy but I have hopes that this upcoming one will be even better. 

 Keep the faith and I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. And be grateful too!!

I am so beyond grateful to be a missionary, to have gone through what I had to to help me grow and become the person I am today!

Much love,   Sister Richards

Kirsten Family

Jensen Family

Chambers Family

Nelson Family

My new companion, Sister Burke

F.I.N.E. November 14, 2016

I hope you remember what F.I.N.E means (Italian Job) cause that is how I am feeling right now about transfers. Let me tell you what is happening. So I am training a brand new missionary from the MTC. Oh it gets better, we are sweeping into an area (which means we are both new to the area and know nothing about it). So I am going to Westminster again but I am in the Savory Ponds Ward. OH WAIT, it gets even better. We are sharing the ward with the AP's... talk about intimidating. More like competition to blow them out of the water! Haha! So, yeah, I am kind of freaking out right now. But I am really excited at the same time. It's going to be great. Gotta love the greeny fire.

So anyway this week was an interesting one....

Monday we had zone pday and that was a lot of fun. We mainly played volleyball, which may have not been smart for me but that's OK. I had a ton of fun. The pain was worth it. And, of course, me and my random noises got lots of laughs. I don't know what it is but when I play volleyball, things just come out of my mouth. No control.

Tuesday was a pretty fun day. We had another car fast so we were biking all day. I had this sweet Beach Cruiser so I was having fun. And it didn't rain this time. But my companion wasn't talking to me that day so that made it hard and made us late to dinner. But we handed out a Book Of Mormon and talked to a lot of people so it was fun. We also did do service at the Task Force and that was so much fun. We had lots of food to sort and you know how I love to sort. But its always fun. It reminds me of the service we would do at the food pantry when I was a youth. Do they still do that? 

Wednesday was pretty good. We were on our way to go to service when we got a call form the Zone Leader asking where we were. They decided to switch the time of our zone meeting and didn't tell us. So we were late. Good one Elders... but it was a really good meeting. We talked a lot about success and personal and companion studies, which was much needed for me because my studies have been crap lately. But hopefully they are on the way up. We did a role play where we had to hand out a Book Of Mormon but the "non-members" were told to not accept it no matter what. So the point was that we can feel successful even though we may not hand out a Book Of Mormon or get baptisms. The success is in the commitment and the desire to share the Gospel and feeling the Spirit testify through you, which I did and I was the only one that felt like a success. That was a great learning experience for me. We taught a couple of random lessons that day and handed out a Book Of Mormon so that was great. 

The only thing I am going to talk about Thursday was when I got the call to train. So AP Olsen calls at night and when I heard it was the AP's I was freaking out. And then when he asked to talk to me, my heart sank. But then he started asking questions about our apartment and bed bugs so I thought I was safe but then he asked one more question. I almost passed out for real and asked if they were sure they had the right sister but ended up saying yes I would do it. So that night, I couldn't sleep and had to be lulled to sleep by listening to Pride and Prejudice. So that was fun. Oh we also had lunch with Benji and that is always a treat! I will miss him!

Friday I got to be companions with Sister Dennis for most of the night because she was training too so we went to the trainers meeting together and exchanged. It was so much fun to be with Sister Dennis again. We were meant to be companions. We have a plan though. After we train our greenies, they will followup train each other, just like we did, and then we will kill each other off. So that is what will happen. 

Well I am running out of time today. But I hope and pray that you all are doing well! Keep the faith and know that I am praying for all of you. Also Ella and Owen are adorable. And I am glad that Owen knows whats right with the superman bib. Just saying!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Dare to dream! November 7, 2016

Ok, for starters, I LOVED the play. So freaking funny. I totally knew you were going to do the brownie and pickle thing and crying... But that was great. And I assume you are going to do the story of how he came into my play for Brian. That will be good. I can't wait to hear it. :) I just loved it, but really Lana Lang? I mean really? Haha

This week was pretty great!

Monday for Halloween we got to spend the day with the Lybbert family. And they stole my camera so I have lots of random pictures. But my pumpkin this year was pretty dope, just saying. But that is really all we got to do. We had to be in by 7 which is right after dinner so we didn't do anything but carve pumpkins and eat candy and food. It was great! And I was Cinderella of course. :)

Tuesday we found a new investigator and he is Asian, named Muchun. I have been wanting to teach an Asian my whole mission! But he will probably be passed off to the Young Single Adults so... lame. But he was really interested to see what our Church looks like so we are going to do a tour for him. It's gonna be awesome. I also had lots of fun at the Task Force stuffing envelopes. I was the fastest one there, too. I did a lot. I just have a talent for doing mundane, brainless tasks! Haha! 

Wednesday we got to go to the Temple!!!!! I loved it!! It was my last time as a missionary going to the Temple and it was sad. But it was great and I got to hand out all those names that I kept forgetting to do the past 8 months or so, so that was great. There are only two left! And I got this new CD from Deseret Book called Gentri and it's my new favorite. There are only 7 songs on it but I love it so much!! (The subject of this email is one of their song lines). Then we went to Kneaders for brunch and we got it for free again. Ballin! But the other great part about the day was that Benji came back from Texas! I have missed him so much. He is going through a lot right now with his dad on the way out. I almost started to cry, my heart felt so much for him. But it was great to see him. He still teases me to no end. But that's ok. After dinner we went to an appointment with a potential and he left a note telling us he was not interested. It made me laugh. I will attach a picture. So it was a good day. We talked to a garbage man that was very nice. 

Thursday we had district meeting and not gonna lie, it was kind of lame. Our district picture is even lamer. But that's ok cause we had miracles happen. First we ran into these two guys that are from Aurora and were working on a house here in Parker, Jim and Seth. They were so nice!! And they were so excited that we invited them to come to Church with us. We gave them both Book of Mormons and Jim wanted a Plan of Salvation pamphlet. He asked us questions and said that we had all the answers he needed. It was really cool. They said we made their day, which in turn made my day. That is why I love being a missionary. And then we had another really cool lesson with a potential who almost became an investigator. She wanted to read the Book of Mormon before we even brought it up and wanted us to share the message with her. So that was cool. But she wants time to read so she wanted us to come back in December. Lame. But she has had so many interactions with the Church and LDS members, it's unreal. So she is cool. And her name is cool too, Theodosia. I don't remember where it's from though... Ireland maybe? Anyway...

Friday we had a pretty cool experience. We met with a less active member who is a "do not contact" in our ward. She was really nice to us though. We started talking on her porch but then she invited us in and gave us lots of her kid's candy and water. Then she told us her story and it was really cool. Kind of sad but interesting. And she was telling us she hates when missionaries would come over and ask if they could share a scripture. So I was thinking, dang, how are we going to share a scripture/message without her getting upset? But then it happened. As she was telling us her story, she brought up the scripture that hit her hard and made her want to be baptized. Mosiah 4:9-10 [9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

 10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.]. But she couldn't remember the reference, just what it said. So I found it for her and we talked about how God is there and everything testifies of Him. So we got to share a message with her and I felt a lot of Gods love for her so I had to tell her. So it was a really cool experience for me. We talked for a good hour or so. 

Saturday was a pretty good day as well. We found another gator and it was a really cool experience. After dinner we were tracting in the dark, which I hate doing, and something told me to keep going down this one street. So we did and we ran into Kyle. He was smoking on his porch and was probably drunk or high but he let us come up to his porch to share a message with him. He said that he had been going through a lot lately and was really struggling. So I shared a scripture about the Atonement with him and told him that Christ was looking out for him and knew what he was going through. I felt the Spirit so strong and just kept saying that this was exactly what he needed in his life. It was so cool. I wanted to end the night on that experience. But he was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and come to Church, which he didn't do. But it was still a great experience and I just felt so much love for the gospel and know that it's true. It's so true. 

Sunday we had a good stake conference broadcast and they talked about Temples. I can't wait to go to the Temple whenever I want! But not much else happened that day. We taught Liam, a 7 yr old and he is just so cute. 

So this week was great. I listen to my play at least once a day because I love it so much. I also love this Gospel so much and am so grateful for a Savior that loves me no matter what. I love Him too. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week and be grateful too! :)

Much love,

Sister Richards

 

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble October 31, 2016

Baby pumpkin!!! :)

Happy Halloween!!! I will be a missionary version of Cinderella tonight :) But we will be in all night so... lame. I miss Halloween fun!

Anyway this week was a little bit of a struggle. 

Tuesday we got to have some fun at the Task Force. Except everyone thinks I am an angry child. NOT TRUE!!! So they of course teased me to no end there. Oh well. We were doing a lot of walking because we are running out of miles so that is fun. But it is fun cause then we were out talking to a lot more people than we normally would probably. And I just love talking to people. We got to teach the Kirsten family. They are an interesting bunch. But it's a little sad because they don't have much knowledge about the Gospel. My heart breaks for them. 

Wednesday we got to go back to the Task Force to fill lots and lots of envelopes. That was fun. Nothing like mundane tedious tasks that I don't have to use brain power for. Then we got to have interviews with President and Sister Mendenhall and that is always a joy. They truly are wonderful people. We also got to go to mutual to teach the youth how to make a contact. The first group was a little rough but then we got the hang of things. And it was really cool though to help them get thinking about talking about the Gospel to their friends. We challenged them to bear their testimony on Sunday too and so many did. It really was a cool sight to see all the youth in the Ward go up and bear their testimonies. And they were all different too, that was the other cool thing. It was great.

Thursday we had district meeting. That was pretty good. I felt the Spirit a lot when we were doing a role play. Elder Olsen was on exchanges and he reminded me of my purpose here. I am here to do what Christ would do. To help serve and love those around me. I did have a cool experience. We were coming up to a mail lady and I was scared to talk to her because she was the mail lady and I didn't think she would listen. But then I thought, "what would Jesus do?" and I was overcome with a feeling of love for this lady. And she did listen for a bit but wasn't interested. But I think she needed to know that God knew where she was. 

Friday was a little bit scary. I thought I was going to be kicked out of the area. But I will not go into details cause that is not necessary cause everything is all good now. We met with a basher and I was just done with him. It was draining talking to him. People just don't listen to us. But then we met Norm. He is the cutest old man ever. We just talked to him about how he has seen God in his life. We were there for an hour and he just told us story after story. It was so cute. But it was funny because I felt like sharing a

This cat was tracting with us at night to protect us. It was great! :)

scripture from the Book of Mormon but I knew I had to quote it and not read it from the actual page. So I did and it was "I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things". So I told him that and he agreed and said that's what his bible said too. And then he went on a rant about how the Book of Mormon was false and that it says different things. When we left I just laughed because I knew that I just needed to quote it. The Book is true! Then we had a Trunk or Treat for Auburn Hills. That was fun and holy cow, there were a ton of people. But it was fun. And I got even more candy. 

Saturday was amazing. I was just on a Spiritual high. We were walking everywhere and talking with everyone and it was just great. I got a nice burn to show for it too. But we ran into some cool people. We ran into a member that lives in our ward but goes to another one. And they fed us lunch so that was super nice. So we helped them wrap presents for their kids birthday. And they had superhero wrapping paper. I want some. It was so cool. Anyway, then we met Robert. He is Catholic but hates church because the Catholic church ruined it for him. But we tried talking to him about how great it is and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was really excited and said he would read it and that we could come back next week. Ballin'. He was so funny and has a really cool story. So I am excited to meet with him again. We had dinner with the Egan's and their little boy was so cute. We were leaving and he yells out the door, "GOODBYE TOOT!!" It was so funny. Gotta love children! :) 

Sunday was great. I actually love Church for 6 hours. I get to feel the Spirit so strong for so long. Its great! And we got to have a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation with a little 7 yr old. He is so cute. And I just love the Plan of Salvation. How grateful I am for the Saviors Atonement. We would be nothing without him. 

I love this Gospel and I love being a missionary. The Gospel is true and it truly is wonderful. Keep the faith!! Love you bunches!!!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Just a few more seconds October 24, 2016

Hopefully I get the disk today, I am dying!!! But thanks for the update on baseball. I have missed that in my life.

This week was still a little slow but we found a new investigator so that is pretty cool. 

Tuesday we went on exchanges so I was with Sister Loyd in Parker ward. I didn't get any pictures with her so sorry. I have been failing for real at taking pictures this week. So many regrets. But anyway we had a pretty good day. We found 3 new investigators so that was cool. And we got to meet with a recent convert named David. He is the sweetest. So funny too. He just loves to joke around. He also had knee surgery recently and it brought back some great memories of when I had surgery. We had fun. We also got to have dinner in a mansion. Mansions scare me. They are pretty but I feel like I cant walk in one so as to not mess it up. But that is about all I have to say about that exchange. 

Wednesday we had a pretty good day. Lots of finding. But my favorite part was when we got to teach Sarah. She is my favorite. We always have the best lessons there. She is a spiritual giant. I always learn so much from her when we go over there. For someone not active, she has an amazing testimony of the Atonement. I just love her so much. She is so great! We just shared a talk called "Discovering the Divinity Within" and it was so good. I just felt so much of Gods love for her. She is progressing so well! 

Thursday we had an interesting District Meeting. But I always love learning new things. We also got to have some great experiences. We almost got a new investigator. She was really cool and had lots of questions. So we gave her a Book of Mormon and she seemed really interested. So hopefully we get to teach her. But then we had interesting things happened. We were in an area where there was a school and it was time for school getting out. There were so many people, I didn't know what to do. But then I failed and didn't talk to everyone. But I learned a valuable lesson about how we need to talk to everyone. Everyone needs to at least have to opportunity to accept or reject. But if we don't ever talk to them, we aren't giving them that chance to say no. Or yes. So that was a humbling experience. 

Friday was when we got out new investigator. Her name is Kian. She is a very interesting character but super friendly. She just seemed so stressed and confused about what we were talking about but she said she would read the Book of Mormon and said we could come back so that's good. We also got to see Sister Kirsten. She seemed to be doing much better than last time we talked with her. But she just said some things that really touched my heart. And it made me feel like I am needed and making a difference here. So that was cool. You never know what the good you will do for someone even if it's small. 

Saturday was a rough day! But we met this really nice man named "D".

And he was an answer to my prayers. I was just really struggling and people were being really mean that day and so I just prayed for someone to be nice. And he was so nice. We didn't really teach him anything but he had a cool story about how missionaries helped him out a long time ago in California. So he loves missionaries and just kept saying to not give up. Keep going. And then he rubbed in my face that I only have 3 months left. That was not very nice, but it gave me the motivation I needed to keep going that day. We had the Trunk or Treat for Newlin Meadows. That was pretty good. There weren't as many decorated trunks as I thought but I got lots of candy. And I failed again because I didn't take any pictures. There were lots of cute costumes though. Lots of superman, only the best! :) So that made my day. 

Sunday was pretty good too. We had a really good church meeting and it just got me excited to share the Book of Mormon with everyone. So we went out and talked to a lot of people. And we had a really fun dinner with the Grieve's/Ogden's. They are seriously my favorite. We always have a good time. They are great people. And we started teaching Liam the lessons before he gets baptized. He is a very smart kid. 

So we are halfway through the transfer and hopefully things continue to pick up. Slowly but surely they will come!!

I am so grateful for you, my family, to support me in my decision to serve a mission. I have been blessed immensely by this experience and I hope and pray that I can be an instrument in the Lord's hand in sharing the Gospel with Colorado!

Ask God for you to be an answer to someone's prayer today. Keep the faith! Love you bunches!! 

Much love,

Sister Richards

Yes I look pretty scary in this picture but I was really excited to be walking in the middle of the road in the dark. Yes I am weird :)