#FindLikeChrist January 16, 2017

Well here I go again, not having enough time to write everything that happened this week. Struggle. But there is something I totally forgot to mention about last week. We were tracting at night on this street and we were not having any luck. So we decided to go back to the car and while we were figuring out where we wanted to go to next, this cop pulled up next to our car. So we roll down the window and he asks, "have you two been walking around here?" yes... "are you wearing dresses?" yes... "you are just the people I'm looking for" Oh goodie. Apparently he got a call that there were two white girls in dresses walking around doing suspicious things... Yeah that's me, sharing the Gospel with people. We had a good laugh about that.

Anyway this week was a little bit slow for the work but that's OK. 

We had a pretty cool experience on Wednesday. No one was really answering their doors and right before we were going to go back into the car, I said we should knock on one more. So we went to this house and this lady just let us in before we even said anything. She didn't become a new investigator or anything, but she was having a hard day with her Dad being on the way out. So we were able to talk about the Spirit world and she just was the sweetest lady ever. 

Thursday we had a pretty good Zone Meeting. It was especially cool when Elder Krulish completely scrapped his training and followed the Spirit to talk about finding like Christ. It was really great and just what I needed to help me through the next couple of weeks. We also talked about Satan and how real he is and how he is trying to tell us that numbers matter and that I am not a good missionary because of x, y, and z. So it was just really good. We also were able to give some Book of Mormons to some kids that day too. That was cool.

Friday we had a really good lesson with a family that we found in December. We taught the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was so strong. I love that plan. I don't know if they quite understand why we are teaching them but they are just the coolest. 

Saturday was a really great day. We went to teach Cindi and Jackie and boy was that fun. We also taught them the Plan of Salvation and it was so cool. Jackie kept saying she had never heard this before and so it was good to remind her of the joy of the Gospel. I was teaching about our purpose on earth and Jackie said that no one had ever explained it the way I did before. I literally have no idea what I said. But I just love those moments when you know that the Spirit is working through you and that you are able to touch someones life that day. That is why I love being a missionary. We also met with Victoria. Her life is falling apart. And it's stupid Satan that is trying to tear her family apart. Don't let him fool you folks. Let Christ in your life so that Satan will not have room in the Inn. Then we had a really cool lesson with Naomi and Jason. Jason isn't a member but he has the coolest Spirit about him. We were talking about the Holy Ghost and the Spirit was just so strong. I really just love those two. They are great! 

Yesterday we had Zone Preparation Day. We, of course, played volleyball. It wasn't the best Zone Preparation Day I have had but it was still fun. Elder Olsen tried to kill my companion so I in turn was about to bust his face in. Haha just kidding. But he kicked the volleyball and it went straight to Sister Cameron's head. They were super close too so it hit her hard. It was so funny but at the same time really scary. But Elder Olsen ran away so fast that it wasn't even funny. He was hiding too. Good times. But it was all good. After dinner we went to a less active member's house, David, whose girlfriend, Heather, isn't a member. So we taught her the restoration and she is really interested in continuing to learn. The coolest part about the lesson was how much David participated and was able to explain things in such a way that we couldn't. He is a cool dude. I think Heather has lots of potential too. We will just have to see.

Anyway sorry for the mess of an email. Know that I love my Savior and that I love being a missionary more than anything in the world. This truly is the work of the Lord and it's an amazing one at that!

Keep the faith and have a great week!

Much love,

Sister Richards

This is what happens during our studies...

We cute!

 

This will only end in tears January 9, 2017

Well hello!

This week started off pretty awesome and then literally ended in tears. Crazy how that happens sometimes.

Monday we had a full work day and that was pretty awesome. We went to visit with the Nunez family. But that was super awkward because they only speak Spanish... The only thing I can say in Spanish is we are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and El Libro de Mormon. Doesn't really help much. But they are so sweet. They just love missionaries. Then we went to teach a less active member named Julie Jacobs. She is a sweet lady. Her daughter usually doesn't like to talk but she really likes my companion so I think that is how she will get back to Church. She is cool though cause she already stopped smoking on her own and just really wants to come back. Then we had a really cool experience. We met this man named Eric who was just sitting on a bench in the park. So we went up to talk to him and we learned that he was homeless and didn't even know what to do. So we shared the Book of Mormon with him and told him that he could find peace from reading it. He just started crying and said that we were sent from God to help him. Just goes to show the importance of talking to everyone. Before dinner we met with a less active family that had the cutest dog ever. Now I don't like dogs but I think huskies are adorable. 

Tuesday we had a car fast and that was fun. We talked to so many people and handed out so many Book of Mormons and even found a new investigator. She is pregnant and about due any day so we don't really know if we will be able to meet with her much. But then we had another really cool experience. We met a man named Robert and he didn't hear us come up to him so he called us angels. He also told us that we came right when he needed us to. So we talked about the Plan of Salvation and how great that is. But it was just a really Spiritual experience. We also met with Victoria and that was good. We can never get through a lesson though with her. She is the best though. I just love her. And then we met with Cindi and Jackie. They are hilarious. They just love to tease each other. And I have told them the same stories like five times already and they just still can't remember. It's hilarious.

Wednesday was a little bit rough. We got to do service though at the old folks home, the same one I went to when I was serving in Red Leaf. It has changed so much though. It's so sad. But there are still some people there that were there last time so we had a good chat. I don't think they remember me though. But then we had a lesson with Connie Turney. She wasn't feeling too good that day, which meant that we got out of the lesson on time. But she is just really trying to stop smoking. She is getting better. After dinner though we had to go home cause the snow was getting really bad and we had to park our cars. But on the way home we were going up a hill and got stuck. Sister Cameron did not know what to do, being

Do you want to build a snowman?

from Texas and her first time driving in snow, so she kind of lost it. So I said the tiniest prayer ever and right after this guy came to our aid and pushed us up the hill with his car. It was a miracle. 

Thursday was cold. But we could drive by 1 so we went to district meeting. That was pretty fun. But then we met with the cutest less active member. Her name is Julia and hasn't been able to come to Church because she has no car. So we just got to know her and her kids are so cute. She came to Church and bore her testimony and everyone just loves her already. Just great. Then we had a very interesting meeting with a man named Steven. He is an alcoholic but loves God. So we shared the Book of Mormon with him and he asked us to share our testimonies. He just started to cry. It was a really cool experience. Kind of strange but cool. The power of testimony can not be denied. 

Friday we had another cool experience. We felt we needed to try by a less active members apartment that lived in a locked complex. So we were praying for a miracle that if it be God's will that we get in, we would. And so we start walking up to the building and I see the door open. I ran so fast to that door. Unfortunately they weren't home so we tracted the whole building hoping for a fourth floor last door experience but that didn't happen. Again, too many Spanish people. 

Saturday was a fun day. We had breakfast with the Stake President. We realized that we were the only sisters in the zone. Nice. Story of my life. But we had a good lesson with Cindi and Jackie again. They are just so funny and sassy towards each other. I love it.

Sunday was fast Sunday and it was pretty good.

Sorry I am going to have to cut this off short. Out of time! And I am hungry as a kitten!

Much love,

Sister Richards

This Spanish lady had a pig...

 

My scripture case finally gave up the ghost. I was so mad though. Really? You couldn't have waited 4 weeks? So now my scriptures are in a paper bag. Classy, I know.
 

​

 

 

 

It's the final countdown December 31, 2016

Last pic with Sister Burke

Surprise again, I am actually emailing today! But I don't think I will be emailing again for real until the next Monday, the 9th. But this week was pretty long. Transfer week always is.

It was so good to see you all on Sunday! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and party hard for the new year, it's gonna be good. 

Monday and Tuesday were pretty long days of finding but we did get to teach a couple of lessons so that was good. We got to meet a new less active member. Well not that she is new but we haven't met her yet. She has an intense story but she also is very wise. She was talking about faith and how sometimes we don't find answers right away but that we have to sometimes collect ingredients before we can make the bread. I don't know if that made any sense but it was mind blowing to me. And then we saw Victoria again and talked about the Tree of Life. I love that story. There are so many wonderful things to learn from that. Don't stop partaking of the wonderful fruit of the Gospel.

Elder Mork with his greenie

Wednesday was pretty great. I went to the mission office to pick up my new greenie! And Elder Mork is training too so that was fun to see him. It's been forever. But my new companion is Sister Cameron and she is from Texas. Elder Olsen was telling me that they got the best one for me cause she is from Texas and he is too. Haha, I had a good laugh at him. But she is pretty great. She got sick the second day so that was a little rough but hopefully by next week we will find all the children in the world to teach and baptize! Yeah baby. 

Thursday we had a lot of tracting to do because District Meeting got cancelled cause Elder Wood was in the hospital! He is all good now. But we had lots of really awkward instances that just made us laugh. It was great! We also saw Sister McCormac. She like kicked us out though, it was weird. 

Yesterday we didn't really do much. We had a great Trainers Meeting in the morning which we didn't even get back to our area till 3. So then we received two referrals and contacted them asap quick. It was great. But then we didn't have time to do anything else other than go to our meeting with the Bishop and the AP's which I made a fool of myself at. Whatever. That's my life. But after dinner we went home to do weekly planning but that didn't happen cause we were both just sick and needed to go to bed. 

So sorry if this email doesn't make any sense. I am just super out of it. But know that I love being a missionary more than anything right now and I can't wait for the miracles this transfer!!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Sister Cameron... ignore the hat...

Its a sloth bracelet. How cute is that? I want one!

I'm the prettiest princess in the world

We had fun with wigs and silly string

Surprise!! December 23, 2016

So we are actually emailing today. I know its stupid but I will see you on Sunday! :)

So this week has been a little... weird. 

Monday we found a family and that was so cool. We went to offer help cause he was putting lights up and asked to share a Christmas message and he went to get his whole family. Yay. But they loved it and they were so surprised that we were offering service to people. Weird. So that was cool. We were supposed to see them yesterday but they had a death in the family so that was a bummer. But that is also the perfect time to help people understand the plan of salvation. 

Tuesday we did a lot of service at the food bank. We also got to take a picture with Santa, finally. Then we had a lesson with a less active member and her whole family came over to the house and that means that nothing gets done. But we still managed to get a message shared with them. 

Wednesday we had district meeting and I had to give a training on faith. Which I had so many thoughts going through my head that it was so scatterbrained. And the District Leader gave me a whole hour to do the training.... But it all worked out. And actually I ended up talking too much and we didn't really get to do the role play. But I learned a lot from studying for it so that is great! And we only really skimmed the surface of the topic. We also had a dinner with a member and she brought a friend over so we taught him the plan of salvation. He seemed really interested and even took a Book of Mormon. We also had a little lesson with a lady that just lost her husband. She really just needed to know that God was watching out for her and that He knew of her needs. 

Yesterday was a little bit rough. We did teach a lot of people though. We visited with Sister McCormac and she gave us little Christmas presents, it was so nice. These people are so nice and cute. But we had a really cool lesson with a less active member . Funny story though, I knew her when I served in Red Leaf. I don't remember if I told you that before but we went over to visit her and her husband and it was just really cool. We shared the Christmas video with them and the husband who is not a member almost broke down in tears. It was so powerful. They are so awesome.  I just love them.

Well that is really all she wrote. I will see you guys on Sunday! We will be going over to email probably around 2:30 but I will probably go second so it may not be till 3:30 or 4 my time that I get to Skype. But I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!! Love you all!!!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Howdy hey December 19, 2016

Well I love the tree! And I am glad that you are stress free for even a moment. I hope it lasts a little longer than a moment! You are doing a great job Mom!

Well not much happened this week for real but there were a lot of good highlights!

Monday we had zone preparation day and that was not my favorite. But it was fun. We didn't even take a picture... lame. But we did this gift exchange thing and I was the last one to pick. It was between getting a poop emoji dog toy or chancing it with an unopened gift. I didn't want a poop emoji so I took a chance, and what did I get? A poop emoji key chain. Classic Elders. It was so funny that now I will cherish that poop emoji key chain forever. Haha 

Tuesday was OK. We got to do service at the food bank which was awesome cause I got to see everyone from when I served in Red Leaf. Good times. But this time I can actually lift boxes and people won't make fun of me for my cast and trying to lift boxes and failing. We got to teach a couple of lessons with some less active members that were kind of awkward but such is the life of a missionary. We did meet one less active member from Utah and she just doesn't think it fits her personality. Haven't heard that one before. But we said a prayer with her and she was really grateful because her dad was struggling. God is real. 

Thursday we had our Christmas devotional and this years was not as good as last years. Santa didn't even come. What the poo? But that's OK. I learned a lot from the speakers. And we are doing a new challenge. We are reading the Book of Mormon in 63 days. But I don't have 63 days left on my mission so I am doing it in like 51 or something like that. I am already behind but that is OK. I will do it so help me. But one of the speakers talked a lot about the Plan of Salvation and he totally blew my mind with the war in heaven from Revelations 12 I think. And again it's things that I already knew but it just clicked in a different way this time. It was great! Stupid Satan and his angels thought he could beat me? Psych that's the wrong number! Sorry I am really tired and stressed so this is probably not the most appropriate email I have written. But it was really fun. We did this little skit of the angels coming to the shepherds and announcing Christ's birth. It was great! I was the angel of course. 

Friday we had our ward Christmas party. We missed Santa though and that made me sad. But all four of us missionaries did sing my favorite Christmas song and it was wonderful. O Holy Night. And I didn't get as nervous as I usually would so that's good. But a couple of our less active members came and that was fun. 

Saturday was hecka busy. We had a blizzard the night before and so our cars were parked but then by 1 we could drive again. So we dug out our car and headed out. We met a former investigator who knows it's true just doesn't want to change... Whats that aboot? But we could only invite him. Then we had a lesson with Cindi and Jackie about prayer. It was very surface level stuff. There is so much to prayer but it was great. Then we met with Connie Turney and she of course gave us cake. She always gives us food.

Its great! Then we helped Victoria set up her Christmas tree. Its like Christmas threw up on it but she didn't care. So that was fun. She wasn't going to put her tree up but then she had a miracle happen. Her and her husband both lost their jobs and so they didn't want to do Christmas this year but someone dropped off gift cards for her and so she wanted to have Christmas again. So we helped her. It was fun.

Sunday was a pretty good day at Church. Nothing too special. We met with a less active member that just got baptized like 6 months ago. Sad. But their house is crazy and the dog always constantly barks cause they keep him in a cage. Talk about driving me crazy! But after dinner we found a new investigator. Cool story. I knew them from when I was serving in Brighton, which was like over a year ago! They were homeless then and now they are here and have a baby. And we put the husband on date for the end of January so that's exciting. It was just cool to meet them and I didn't actually remember that I had heard about them before until half way through our lesson with him. So that was crazy. But I am just glad that I got out of the car or else we wouldn't have met them. God is real.

So I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Just so you know I will be emailing again this Saturday (Christmas Eve) instead of next Monday so don't expect me to be on. Well, I will talk to you soon! Have a wonderful week and don't forget to light the world.

Much love,

Sister Richards

Merry bells keep ringing December 12, 2016

Winnie the Pooh is my favorite! :)

Mom you got that song stuck in my head! Haha

This week was a little interesting. It's not going to have a lot of details, sorry.

Monday we had sisters preparation day. We made graham-cracker gingerbread houses. Mine was a castle with me as the Princess gummy bear! :) It was great.

Tuesday we had a car fast. But no bikes this time :( But it was still pretty good. We got to Light the World. It was really cool because the two people that we shared it with really needed it that day. God has a perfect plan. But it was so cold that day. I was shivering for an hour before I could warm up. And my lips were purple. I have never been so cold in my life. It was crazy. 

Wednesday we had snow!!! Yay! We also had a zone meeting. That was really good. I think the biggest thing I learned was how personal and far reaching the Atonement really is. I know this is probably common knowledge but it blew my mind. Everyone has their own personal trials. I don't believe that any one is the same because no one person is the same. We all react differently to different things and have different personalities. And so when I thought about Christ going through every single on of those trials for every single person... blew my mind. And that is why He is my personal Savior. Food for thought. We also got to teach some people so that was good. We taught a potential investigator that said she reads the Book of Mormon everyday but I'm not too sure she really does, cause she didn't have a clue what we were talking about. But that's OK and really cool if she does. We then went to visit a less active member  who was very hesitant to let us in but she said we could for 10 minutes. An hour later we got to share the Christmas video with her and she just loved it. So we had a great conversation. I love when that happens. Also, we had dinner with the Schrecengosts!! It was really funny cause I was like, I know that name, it's not a very common name. Yup, it's the former stake president's son. Also random note, our Sister Training Leaders met Brother Shim ( I can't remember if that's him) and he asked about me apparently. 

Anyway, Thursday was kind of a slow day. We met with Sister McCormac. She is so funny to me. Really sweet lady but just cant get to Church because of health. Sad. We also had a cool lesson with another less active members, the Kautz. It was cool cause we shared the Christmas video and the dad had already downloaded the calendar with the 25 ways. I thought that was cool. One day they will return. 

Friday we had a trainer's meeting and that was really great. I learned a lot about teaching and obedience. It was really good. The rest of the day we were just trying to visit with the widows in our ward. They are so cute. And they really appreciated us coming to visit them. They get so lonely, it's really sad. But then we went to see Victoria and she is just really struggling. It was so sad. I just had so many scriptures running through my head that I wanted to share with her, so I wrote them on a sticky note. 

Saturday was another long day and not the normal day but we had a great lesson with a less active member and she was really into it. I don't know what was the difference this time but it was really personal to her and she just wanted to learn so much more. We shared the story of the woman with the issue of blood, which is one of my favorites. So it was really great. We had Stake Conference that night too and Elder Schmile (?) of the Seventy came to talk to us. He is really cool and has a lot of good things to say. Funny guy too. 

Sunday was another Stake Conference. We also had this really cool Christmas concert for our Stake and it was so good. It was cool too cause I got to see a lot of people from Red Leaf and even someone from Henderson. LOVE. That made my night. 

Well that is the week in a nutshell. I can't wait to see you all. I hope you have a wonderful week. Keep loving and keep believing. Don't let the Atonement go to waste and make it personal!

Much love,

Sister Richards

PS: Yes mom, I have made the pat of butter. Still working on it too! :)

I found the popcorn... and ate it all in 2 days...

Sisters preparation day

Getting ready to walk with our Lamberfeeties :)

Ralph

It was cold and had to bring out the big guns

Zone meeting

I found my street again!!!!

This is my quiet place where I eat all the smarties in the world

Don't make me angry :)

 

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