And here we go May 16, 2016

Dear Family,

     This week has been good. We went on exchanges this week. While I was with my district leader, my companion found a new investigator. This guy is pretty interesting. The first conversation they had with him was about how heaven is a ball, earth is a ball, the moon is a ball so heaven must be a ball, makes sense, right. Yeah, we had our first sit down lesson and he just straight up tells us that he believes that Joseph Smith is a prophet and he wants us to baptize him. Well alright then, ha. But the problem is that he tells us he doesn't really like to follow through with things and he asked us when he gets baptized, could he go back to drinking and just come to Church. So, yeah, maybe not as ready as he first seemed but he's a nice guy. We are going to have to do some work with him. Good stuff.

     You know, being a missionary is fun. You get to do some fun things. Like when people suddenly decide they cant give a talk like an hour before they come to church, the Bishop homies call the missionaries to fill in for the people. Yeah, that's what happened yesterday. My companion and I got up and gave a ten minute spiel on just whatever. It was fun. So yup, that's what happens when you're a missionary, watch out. 

     Yeah, good stuff.

Love you guys.

 

Love,

 

Elder Richards

Look at this cat though.

 

 

 

Hello again May 10, 2016

Dear Family,

     Well, not much has happened in the last couple of days but I will tell you about some of it.

     This morning we went to the Newport Beach Temple! It was pretty sweet. It is a lot smaller than the LA temple but it is still a super nice temple. They have some super awesome paintings, they are super detailed. They had a packed session. It was good. It's always nice to feel the Spirit of the Temple, it is always super strong there. Newport Beach Temple also has some really nice Temple grounds.

     So while we were talking to people on the street, we ran into this one guy. He had a super round and kinda big Golden Retriever. It was a really fun dog, ha. He would hit your legs and then when you looked at him, he would lie down and roll over on his back so that you could rub his belly, ha. It was so funny to watch because he would just sit there spread eagle on the ground until you either walked away or rubbed his belly. This dog knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. 

     It was really good to see all of you and to talk to you.

Miss you guys.

Love you guys.

Love, 

 

Elder Richards

Sorry for the short letter but I talked to you 2 days ago :)

A picture of the dog and my squad--sorry I closed my eyes

HB May 2, 2016

Dear Family,

       It's so awesome that we have another member of the family now. He's cute. To me he does look like Ben but I can see what you are saying, that he looks a little like Ryan as well. 

     Well this week was really good, and interesting. We had one investigator, Don, and Don got baptized on Saturday! The missionaries before me are doing really well. He is a super awesome guy. He bore his testimony at the baptism and you can just tell that he is super solid in the Gospel and he was super prepared. He actually called the missionaries to come over and to take the lessons. So yup, he was super prepared for this. He tells us about how he feels that he has found his way home and is a part of a family. After he was confirmed he told us that he felts like he was floating :) I love it. 

     Earlier this week we also went to an auction set up by the Ward. Don is actually a professional Auctioneer, so he was the Auctioneer. It was pretty fun. He sold things from little baskets to a canoe. It was pretty fun.  

     This ward is pretty fun. They are all very welcoming and there are just some cool people in the Ward. The guy who plays John the Beloved in the bible videos is in our ward. We actually had dinner with him last night, super cool guy and nice family. We also have the lead guitarist from Imagine Dragons in our Ward. Yes, be jealous. I have not met him yet but I will some day. Everyone in the Ward seems super nice and helpful so I'm excited to work in this Ward. 

     My new companion is a good guy. His name is Elder Daw. This is his last transfer so he is low-key trunky. ( Trunky--a missionary who is about to go home that is thinking of going home) If you don't know what that means, ask someone. But, he is a cool guy that cares about the people. So, things should be fun. Huntington Beach is a fun place. The weather is nice. It seems like every one here surfs, I'm jealous, but I will surf someday. 

     I do like running to the beach in the morning.

I love you guys.

Love,

 

Elder Richards