That's all she wrote.....August 30, 2016

First off, sorry we didn't get to email yesterday because we were helping with the Fort Collins Temple open house all day. So that was fun!

But this week was pretty good. Things are finally picking up so it's going pretty good. 

Tuesday we got a new investigator! Her name is Sharon. She is the sweetest older lady ever. And what is even better, she believes in pretty much everything we do. She believes in the Book of Mormon and that there is a prophet. But she doesn't think she needs to be Mormon to believe that. Which is true but it's not all about the beliefs, its the Ordinances and the lifestyle. So we will see what happens with her. She is so sweet though!

Wednesday we went to help out at the Temple again. That was a good time. Except having to wake up at 4:30 in the morning. That was not fun. I don't like being up before the sun. So there is not much to talk about that day. Except I got to see a lot of my old friends. Missionaries and members from past wards! That makes me happy! But we had a really fun dinner with the Giles. They are so cute, especially their daughter. She has the cutest giggle and was telling us about how they put their dog in a princess dress. That was funny. Anyway we did find another investigator after dinner. We only got halfway through our lesson when he had to go but hopefully we will help him. He already bailed on us so that's lame but we will see.

Thursday we had District Meeting and we have a new missionary in our district! I love new missionaries. They are so fun! But our whole meeting was about helping people overcome addiction. That was very interesting. I want to try something in Preach My Gospel about giving up a bad habit, for example, eating too much, to see how hard it is. Let me tell you, I failed the very first day. Haha but I will try again... maybe. Anyway we had a pretty good lesson with some less active members. They are from Trinidad. They are so cool. Super sweet too.

Lunch with Benji

We also had a really good lesson with Benji. He is just progressing so nicely. We just talked about some commandments and he just loves it. He is so excited to learn and do what we ask, it's great. And then we had a pretty terrible lesson with another set of investigators, Jeff and Marianne. All I'm gonna say is that it turned into a mild bible bash and they don't really listen to us. Plus it didn't help that our member kept bringing some things up that didn't need to be brought up. And then Jeff got insulted twice. Sigh. It was very frustrating and of course I cried after cause I just can't handle when people want to bash. I have nothing against them but what I know. But that was very frustrating. 

Friday we got to see another investigator who actually dropped us. But it was going to happen anyway. But she still is the sweetest lady ever and will feed us whenever! We also had a ward pool party and that was kind of a bust. There were no non-members there so we didn't really stay long. But the food was good. 

I hate rain

Saturday was a really good day. We talked to a lot of people. We were tracting and asked if we could do service for a lady and she said no, so we moved on. But then when we were walking by again she came out and changed her mind. So we helped her with some small things around the house and said a prayer with her for her health. So she gave us lots of candy. But it was cool because you could see a difference in the husband as we were there. He was not as friendly when we first got there but as the time went on he seemed very grateful. Gotta love it. We also had a lesson with a less active member that we don't really know if he is a less active member. He said he was baptized but never really went after that. But his wife is not a member and she is a social worker so has a hard time believing in a God with all that she sees. I totally get it. But we talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and I really felt strongly that they would be blessed from reading it and I know that the Book of Mormon is truly an amazing book. It can help us in everything. So that was good. I hope they want to continue to learn. He has a lot of potential. 

Sunday was a great day! Church was great. All about marriage and Temples... But I will skip to what happened. We found a new investigator. But the story is so cool. We knocked on her door and knew that she was Hindu but before we even said anything she invited us into her home. I was dumbfounded. So we taught her the Restoration and she loved it. She is a Hindu that loves

Jesus and you can even see the testimony she has of him in her eyes. She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon too! It was just really cool. I don't know how this is going to work out but I have hope that it will. And with God, it will!

It was good to hear about the many adventures you are having. I hope you all continue to love God and have faith in Christ's Atonement! I love you all!!

Much love,

 

Sister Richards

Beautiful Sunset!!!

The winds of change in pictures August 22, 2016

Benji

I thought it was funny that a pile of dirt was sold...

We tried to be cute...

We were in the middle of a storm

Benji got us so many gobstoppers.... Its a problem

Our rock friend Chuck :)

This story is rather funny. I was running in socks, slipped and hit my ankle on the door frame. But I also had to do my exercises so I had to warm up my arm. That is the short version of the story

This grasshopper wouldn't come off our car even when we were driving so we named it...
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The winds of change! August 22, 2016

Well, it's transfers but it doesn't feel like transfers cause Sister Larson and I are staying together for another transfer in Parker. This is so unheard of for me. But it's gonna be good. But let me tell you about this very awesome week!

Monday we got to go to the Fort Collins Temple open house. They did a special tour for the missionaries in our mission to take their investigators up to the open house. It was so good. It took the whole day but it was totally worth it. We took Benji with us and he loved it. The temple is so pretty and the Spirit there was just amazing. I was getting excited with just being on the grounds. So good.

Tuesday we had a good day. We had a lesson with Maria. I don't know if I have told you about her. She is Catholic but is a very spiritual person and very sensitive to the Spirit. She actually texted us that day and basically dropped us but we decided to go teach her anyway. So we went and actually taught the Restoration and she said she needed to read more and pray about it before she dropped us. So that was a miracle. And a blessing. We also had the funniest dinner ever with the Crawford's. It was like being home. The two girls just reminded me of me and the Phat sisters doing what we do. Like that one time I was telling that story of when I got really sick while we were home for one of the funerals. Remember that? Anyway it was just super chill and we just laughed and laughed. It was great.

Wednesday was kind of not so eventful. We did lots of service and said lots of unnecessary goodbyes to Smores. Haha. But we did get to talk to a lot of people. We actually met a member that we had put down to go see but then decided not to. So I guess we needed to see them so God brought them to us. That was cool. We also had a lesson with a less active member and that was very interesting. It has been a long time since I have actually taught a less active member. But he is a very interesting one. He served a mission but then after he just stopped going to Church one day. He said he doesn't really know why but he always had questions that he was not getting answers to. So it was interesting. I think he just stopped doing the basics and let his doubts win. Stupid Satan. He is not interested in coming back anytime soon but he says that he is still Mormon cause that's how he grew up and it's a part of who he is. So that was confusing. Maybe one day.

Not much happened on Thursday. Just District Meeting. And that was good. Actually we did have kind of a cool experience. We met a less active member, finally, that just found out that he was getting a divorce, which is no bueno. But he told us that we were the second ones to show up that day from the Church. It's a sign bro, come back to Church. Anyway he was so nice and was even trying to give us referrals but just isn't ready to walk through the doors yet. I have hope for him someday. 

Friday was great! We got called to help out with the Temple open house. They needed more sisters to help so they called us to help. It was a little stressful because we got called after they did training but it was really great. We just got to talk to people and I saw a lot of members from my past areas so that was really awesome! That took all day :)

Saturday was the miracle day of the week. We did some service with horses again (why?!). But then we didn't really have a lot of time to do anything. But we did have time to have a lesson with Benji and put him on date for baptism!! Woot woot! It was really cool. We were just talking and asking about how things are going and then I just asked him to be baptized and he said yes. It was so simple. Why did it take so long? But he really has come a long way and is progressing well. So that is great! And now we are going to still be here to see him get baptized! We are so excited for him. September 24th here we come!

Well, that is our week. I feel things are changing for this next transfer and we are going to be on fire. I love you all and I love being able to see the difference the Gospel makes in people's lives. It truly does make a difference and this really is the truth!

Live long and prosper!

Much love,

Sister Richards

Another one for the books August 15, 2016

Well folks, this week was a rough one. I log that away. But that's the life sometimes. And I have decided that missionary work is really rough in the summer.

Anyway, we had zone pday (preparation day) on Monday and that was bomb diggity. We played a bunch of minute to win it games and I totally won the one with catching marshmallows in a cup on my head. It was pretty great! I was pretty proud of myself. But it was really fun. We also played some good old volleyball. Oh how I have missed that game. 

Tuesday was... kind of hard for me. But not in a bad way. We just lost a good missionary in the mission that day. It is really weird. But we had some good fun doing service at the Task Force. I just love organizing. It makes me happy. But the rest of the day was just a lot of finding... We did run into this LA (less active member) that doesn't think that he is a member and didn't even know what the Church was... So that was interesting but he invited us back, so that's awesome!

Wednesday we did more service and that is always good. I have to tell you a story about Smores (the horse) though. He farted on me!! So rude. I was just brushing him down and I was getting close to his bum and he just lifted his tale and let one rip right in my face. I mean really? But we had dinner with the cutest family ever. They are just my favorite. Except I have too many favorites. But the best part of the day was when we got to teach the Laurels class about missionary work. It was so much fun. It just got me thinking about how much I have learned on my mission so far and how great the work really is. And it made me want to be a youth again. Those were simpler times. And so much fun.

Thursday we had a pretty bomb zone meeting. It really got me thinking about the blessings we miss out on by not being obedient. And that is crazy. I also had to give a training and that went terribly. My brain was just not working. But the rest of the trainings were really good. The last one was just that we need to give it our all! Be all in. It was awesome! Good meeting.

Friday was so awesome! We talked to so many people and we actually tried to apply what we learned in zone meeting and it was awesome. We were getting real creative with our approaches. You really have to though. If you do the same thing every time, your gonna get the same results. We even taught two lessons that day. They didn't become new investigators but it was good to teach. It's been pretty dry here lately. But I guess its the drought before the storm right?

Saturday was a very long day with a whole lot of nothing but rejection. But we had Stake Conference and

We are missionaries :)
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it was so amazing. The Spirit was so strong there and we even had Benji come. He loved it. Our Mission President spoke and basically told all those that were in the meeting that aren't members to think more about baptism. And Benji talked to them at the end and it was way cool. Benji has come a long way. Still has a way to go but hopefully prayers will be answered and he will stop thinking and do it. So it was a really good meeting. Just a lot about missionary work and how we are to be like the Shepherd. 

Sunday was a lot about the Temples and how important they are. And we taught a couple of active members. I love those members. The Nelsen's are just the coolest. They love to do missionary work and they just invite and talk to everyone! And then the Ogden's/Grieves, they have a special place in my heart. We just go and read scriptures with them but it always leads to uplifting conversation. It's great.

So, sorry this is not the greatest email ever but nothing really is going on right now. I'm hoping this week gets a little better at least. But let me just tell you though that being a missionary is great. So much fun. Being an instrument in the hands of the Lord is my glory and my joy is in those small moments when you see someone being helped by the Gospel. This really is a great work!
I hope you have a great week! Good luck with the calling mom. You got this! 

Much love,

Sister Richards

We have some good fun

 I wasn't feeling good and my companion thought this was a good idea.... I think not...

This little girl made this for us. Its us with her. She is so cute.

God is good! August 8, 2016

What a week it has been. But first let me just tell you those pictures are bomb. That sounded like a freaking awesome party. I want to go. Can we do it again when I come home?? Sounds super fun. And Owen is so presh! Love it!

Back to the week...

Monday we had sisters pday (preparation day) and it was pretty awesome. We went to our members home that has a theater in their basement and watched Legacy. That movie is good let me tell you. I was crying like a little baby. But then we played some great games like Russian twister and human knot. Good times. It's a good thing we all like each other right? So that was awesome.

Tuesday we were on exchanges and I was with Sister Tracy again. Good times. We had lots of fun together. But the day was pretty terrible. So that's all I'm going to say about that. Oh, we got a waffle maker from June, the lady we helped, and we make waffles all the time now and it's awesome! I love waffles.

Wednesday was awesome! Mainly because we got to go to the Temple. And I am sorry, I am a poo poo head cause I forgot the names... again. I was really upset with myself. But hopefully in November, I won't forget... again. Sorry. But I had a really cool experience in the Temple. We didn't even make it to the Endowment session. I was in the chapel and God spoke to me--through the scriptures, of course, but it was like he was right there. I was just praying to feel something and get answers to my prayers and I opened randomly to Doctrine and Covenants 6:15 [Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;] and I was just overcome with God's love and the knowledge that God knows me. It was really just what I needed. I just love that section though. I read the rest in the Celestial room and it just hit me again. God spoke to me. So that was awesome! Not a lot happened that day but the Temple made it all worth it. 

Thursday was pretty awesome too. We had district meeting and that was so good. It was Elder Bird's last district meeting and he gave an amazing training on finding joy in the work. There is already joy in this Gospel and in serving the Lord, we shouldn't be bringing worldly joy into the work. It kind of changed my life. So since it was his last district meeting, we made him a candy gram. I also made a no bake bird head cookie. The best part was his reaction though. He was really grateful that we did something for him. It was sad at the same time though. After that meeting we were all so pumped and just felt the love. So we went to work and talked to these two guys and it was really cool. They listened. They didn't want to continue learning but I feel like the Spirit was there and we did our job of inviting them so. But they were so nice. Then we found a new investigator. He is not very serious and is actually moving in a couple of days so... But then we had the most powerful lesson with Benji we have ever had. I don't know if I have told you about him but he likes to push my buttons. And he wont pray about the Book of Mormon so that is super frustrating. But we were in a member's home this time so he was on his good behavior. And we talked about the importance of prayer. It was so cool. The Spirit was there and we were calm and he really listened. AND he committed himself to read and pray before we did. So cool. And he said the prayer at the end and it was the best prayer we have heard from him yet. It was way cool. He was actually serious. It was great. So we are going to try and work on him hard for the next couple of weeks to get him to find his answers and gain that testimony he needs to be baptized. Hopefully, if it be God's will, he will soon.

I am going to skip to Saturday. We were tracting our lives away and it was hot, hot, hot. But we taught these two kids about the Plan of Salvation and they became new investigators too. Again, not super solid but who knows, only God. But the cool part was actually when we met John Gibbs. It was a very interesting meeting. He was very bipolar. First he was nice, and then he was like, "girls, get to reality", and then he was crying. What? But let me tell you, God is real and the Spirit works wonders. He didn't become a new investigator or anything but it was still a really awesome experience. The Spirit was so strong when we were talking to him. His wife just got diagnosed with breast cancer and he was really struggling to know that God is there for him and that he cares. And I made a silent promise to God that I would tell everyone when I felt God's love for them and boy did he need to know that. So moral of the story is that God cares, He knows us and He loves us all personally and individually. God is good. We also went to June's church that day. That was very eye opening. Very interesting. Kind of strange but still fun. I do love Christian rock music so that was good. But I learned a lot. 

Sunday is always a good day. Gotta love 6 hours of Church! But we always see Brother Ogden and Sister Grieves, his daughter, on Sundays and that is always a delight. We are going into Revelation and that is very eye opening... when I can understand what its talking about. But we love going over there.

So I learned a lot this week and I love my Savior. Christ is so amazing and I love being able to share him with others. 

I hope you have a great week! Remember Christ and know God loves you!

Much love, 

Sister Richards

Exchanges

Sister Wilcox at the Temple.  I just love her!

Yes, a prairie dog:)

Bird Cookie

What fer? There's only three little ones? August 1, 2016

This is June:)

OK, my companion and I have been quoting Seven Brides for Seven Brothers so much lately and it just
makes me smile. Love that movie!

Anyway this week was a pretty good one. Kind of slow still but we are getting there. 

Tuesday we met this really cool lady that just proved to me that God will put people in our path. She was super open to listening and when she asked what was different and we told her, she was like, OK that's different. That was pretty cool. She totally just was open to everything and it was great! 

 

Wednesday we found a new investigator. He got invited to the Temple open house and so we are doing a little Temple prep thing with him and that is pretty awesome! He is super cool and super open to everything and wants to always feel God's love. Temple is the perfect place for that. 

 

Thursday I had to give a training on receiving referrals. That was actually really good. I learned a lot preparing for it if no one else did. But then we did some service for this crazy funny lady. She is quite the hoot. I will tell more later about her. We had a lesson with Shirley the super sweet old lady. She was so confused and that was so sad but she is still willing to listen

and learn. So that's awesome! 

Friday we did lots of service for June, the crazy lady. It was really fun because the Elders came to help and she was just all over them. So funny. 

 

And then Saturday was a lot of helping her again. That took forever. 

Sorry this is so short and lame. I am short and lame on time and my brain can't function. 

I guess all you need to know is that we did some work and had fun doing it. 

Much love,

Sister Richards

Ps I did get the cards and now that I think about it, I think I remember getting some in May too... oops

Also what is this new Harry Potter book that I keep hearing about?

 

 

 

 

She likes to hold my bad handle for some reason... I don't understand

 

Party July 25, 2016

So I totally forgot to tell you about something that happened on Monday. Sister Larson told our dinner that it was my year mark so we had a party. She made Cafe Rio. Waz up! Best day ever. It was so fun. And I just love the Updikes. They are the best. I just loved it.  :)

I got a cake! They sang "happy one year mark"

Nailed it! :)

Oh I forgot something else in my email. President told us that our companion is still sick in the mtc. She is having a lot of anxiety I think. So she will be delayed another 2 weeks. We are super sad cause President doesn't think that she will make it out. So bummer. But thanks for praying for her. :)