Countdown to NM!

Hola real quick,

Be prepared for letters coming to the house, Granny and Grandpa's house, and photos. Elder Bergen and I are writing a little bit now and a little bit later just so you know. We got out of the temple early this morning because we did initiatories! But, so AWESOME as a missionary doing those. I saw Elder Mortensen, see Sister Barton every day and we played volleyball last night on opposing teams. I am on the hunt for Elder Baker, I seriously cannot find him!! I will send a more detailed update later during my laundry time.

Con Amor

Your son

Elder Richards :)

Okay, so the rest of the official update: My birthday on Friday was such a sweet experience in the MTC… it feels great to be 19 now. I started off my morning by doing service, wait it gets better.... I got to clean toilets and vacuum hallways and entry ways of other buildings. I looked like a Ghost Buster. :) I got back to my residence room and opened up the package and that was so exciting! A fiesta in a box. Random birthday wishes from people I had just met! I ran into Sister Barton too!! It was so fun to read Grandma and Grandpa's letter to me, lots of awesome things. I walked into class and my District had hung up the happy birthday sign on the board. Those pictures are on my camera though. The Elders told me I had to wear Elder Thomas' tie or corbata in Spanish, because it was pink to celebrate being 19 so I did haha.

I received letters from the Thorpes, Epeneters, Jackie, and Grace as well as the fam, so exciting!! My hombre teachers or maestros were giving me hugs and my zone and district sang to me, which was good, but at times sounded like a pack of coyotes howling...:) In the evening the Elders wanted to hear me on helium so we did that and my voice sounded about normal, no high pitch! Then we Elders did some other things with helium and that’s how we used the balloons up. The food and candy has been awesome. This week my companion became the Senior Companion and Elder Thomas became our new District Leader. The three other Elders are going to Mexico Puebla South. Hermana Pipkin and I are going to Albuquerque NM and Hermana Hone is going to Madrid Spain. On our temple walk on Sunday, we took a lot of pictures, those will be coming shortly!!

Our investigators are doing well. I have been bold, and have studied up on the doctrine and Spanish and it is really awesome when you receive the inspiration that they need and go with it. There have been lots of cool talks. On Sunday night, we as an MTC watched Sister Monson's funeral services and it was a very tender moment, because it reminded me of Debora's funeral. I teared up; I was over-filled with so much joy. As far as choir went, I hit a low double pedal F at the end of Jesus Once of Humble Birth, and it rang throughout the choir and congregation. I did not choose to go to choir this week, because I felt like I could write more and get my thoughts and feelings across better.

My district has been so much more unified each day as we focus and study an attribute of Christ and apply it all the time. I am loving studying and now everything! It has been rainy today and I had the opportunity to exercise my French skills and talk to some Elders y Soeurs while playing kickball. This week overall has been great!!I cannot believe that I am out of here so soon!!!! It has gone by so fast.

I talked to the Hermanas and the Elders. Any cookies are the special treat request, but Hermana Pipkin cannot eat nuts in her cookies. No nuts, por favor!! That is so exciting that you see people everywhere like Grandpa and I do. I am glad that you got to go to those farewells I asked you to go to! I was wondering how all of the Memorial Day events went....I sure missed it, but I am glad to hear the fam is doing well. I am so proud of Isaac, Ashley, and am excited to see the pictures of baby Ellie. :) You will have to tell Den I say hi when he gets there. Please update me on the baptisms and everything!! My companion has some pictures I will be sending. Hermanas Hone y Pipkin say hello! HI! You are the most amazing person in the world!! They say. :) Mi distrito loves your treats every week and we go study outside!!

I am still writing letters to mail to you, Liv, Maddie and Jordan, and Hayley. :) Life at the MTC is a blast!! However, I broke a shoelace on one pair of my shoes. I bought some thin ones at the bookstore though. ESTA BIEN! It’s all good! I am getting so sick of the food. Quantity is great, but I have had the same thing over and over again. Our zone is changing and the new zone leaders are coming into effect quickly, because the current Zone Leaders, Elder's Reed, Vance, and Mauldwin, all got their visas. One more P-day then I will be in New Mexico. :D

I will send one more picture then I have to go prepare for dinner and devotional. 

Muchas Amor a Usted and la familia!

Elder Richards