Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone!!

So Christmas is on Friday! It is so crazy to think about. I'm sure you are doing all the normal Christmas Eve stuff. You will definitely need to send me pictures.

Wow!! Ok Holy Cow! This has been the longest 6 days of my life! I landed in Houston and we went to the Mission Pres. house. There we had interviews, workshops, and dinner. We then had a tesitmony meeting. After that we slept at the Dunnings apt. (they are a senior couple who lives near Sugar Land). The Dunnings are awesome. I actually live in that complex now and the Dunnings give me mail and stuff cause they live a building away. So the next day...we woke up and went to a church house where we we trained some more, rules, etc. Then we got our trainers. My trainer is Hermana Hammar. She is from Rigby Idaho. It is kinda crazy because she has only been in texas 4 months...yup and she is training me. Luckily her Spanish is pretty good. The sisters right before us opened this area so we are still trying to get to know everything. I am in Missouri City. There are a lot of Spanish people here! Basically everywhere.

My apartment has just me and my comp. It is weird not being around so many missionaries like at the MTC. I am definitely still adjusting.

So let me tell you a little about what I have been doing these last few days. We have a baptism on Saturday. His name is Armando.. He speaks only Spanish(some people here can speak both). He is from Mexico. He is pretty aweome! He has accepted everything and is very active in the church already. We also have 2 other people with baptism dates in Jan. so far.

We have English classes every Tues. and Thurs. We dont teach the class but the senior missionaries that do dont speak Spanish, so we mostly translate...Haha. Well, I dont yet.

OH mom! So you know those taco car/van things that are like parked on teh side of the roads?? Yup I ate there. CRAZY! It wasnt bad. We were out trying to find people in that area nad the lady that runs the taco place is nice and we want to teach her.

Mostly we have been teaching our investigators and finding new people. One of my favorite things here so far is when we teach the less active or recent converts. They are all super nice. We have been able to get a less active family ot come to church and a ward christmas activity. It was awesome!

Since being here my throat has not adjusted to the humidity in the air. I have like this weird cough. Its not really sore just I ocasionally lose my voice and cant really sing....which brings me to my next point! The AP's asked me nad my companion to sing for a Christmas mission conference. There is going to be half the mission there!! Oh nad did I mention my companion doesnt sing?! Haha...cool. I will have to tell you how that goes.

We had a ward christmas party on Sat night. It was cool cause we were able to get some of our investigators there and I got to meet some people in the ward. By meet I mean smile and say "hola!" haha...They are all really nice. Definitely a culture shock. Not your regular Ward Christmas party thats for sure.

So Sunday we went to church. Yes it is a whole spanish stake. Our ward is cool and very supportive of missionaries. I have already gotten 2 huge presents form them. I really didnt understand anything going on at church. They speak way too fast!! Funny story!!!!!!!! So no latinos play piano. So we are about to start Relief Society weh na man comes up to my comp. I didnt know what he was saying(it was in spanish). All I heard was the word piano. and next thing I know I am walking down the hall. Then into the chapel. They wanted me to play the piano for them??!!!!! Santa baca(holy cow)!! So I play the sacrament hymn...no idea still what song it was. And then the guy tells me it is pg 126(the special musical number....what special musical number??????) I was playing the piano for the Relief Society musical number. So for hte next 10 minutes I am like memorizing the song. Scared to death. So we get up to do it. And the chorister lady tells me it is page 124. WHAT??!! SO I then proceeded to play an intro and play the piano for their musical number. HAHAHAAHAHA!! It was pretty bad. I dont think they relaly notcied though. Kill me!! :)

Another funny story...Mom, you will die. So Sunday night we went over to a recent converts house. As we were teaching her a mouse ran from under her couch to mine right passed my feet. I was speechless. My companion let out a small gasp. We didnt want to offend her so we didnt say anything more. But I could just imagine a mouse chillin' by my feet as we were trying to teach. I was SO scared. LOL

So those were a few of my adventures from this past week. I get to tlak to you on Christmas!! I am excited. We are going over to a members house and I think we are going to call you there. I am actually not sure how its going to work. I think we are calling at around 11 my time so 9am your time.

I dont think I need anything right now. I guess I will let you know next week after I open christmas presents. I love all of you and am thinking about you!

-Hermana Richards

Sarah's New Address

550 Stafford Run Road #1206
Stafford, TX 77477

link to Sarah's new home, check it out

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=550+stafford+run+road,+stafford,+tx&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.509065,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=550+Stafford+Run+Rd,+Stafford,+Fort+Bend,+Texas+77477&ll=29.611222,-95.560825&spn=0.002127,0.003439&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=29.61062,-95.561213&panoid=RSVPSiurOiv8YUXGe6m4ig&cbp=12,343.32,,0,6.05

Your missionary has arrived!

Dear family,

We are pleased to report that you missionary has arrived safely! They are incredible and we are so pleased to have them here in the greatest mission in the world. I have sent you a list of each missionary’s assignment as well as the name of their trainer whom they will meet tomorrow. I am sure you will enjoy looking up their area on a map! They have also written a letter to you that we will put in the mail tomorrow. Please note that their P-day here is on Monday.

I have also attached a photo from our time together tonight in the mission home. We had a most spiritual testimony meeting. Thank you for raising such fine missionaries with incredible testimonies who are ready to serve in all ways. President Saylin and I are truly impressed.



With love,

Pres. and Sister Saylin





ASSIGNMENTS:


Sis. Varner Sis. Gibson Galveston

Sis. Stevens Sis. Toapanta Houston 8

Elder Wood Elder Smith Houston 8

Sis. Wright Sis. Greenberg Houston 9

Elder Stastny Elder Cope Fresno

Sis. Richards Sis. Hammar Missouri City

Sis. Clifton Sis. Hammeren Brazos

Elder Troung Elder Greenhaulgh Braeburn (Vietnamese)

Sis. Kiene Sis. Stander Memorial Park

Texas Here I Come

Hey ya'll!!

Yes! I leave on Tuesday for Texas. I have to be at the travel office here at the MTC at 6am. So however long it takes me to get to the sirport and to the terminal is when I will call you. My plane doesn't take off till 10:17am. So I think I will get achance to call everyone.

Maygen-I am giving my branch Presidents wife a box Monday night. Her name is Joan Lloyd. Her phone number just in case is 801-373-8885 or 801-225-3553. She is super nice. I am giving her your # to call you but just in case.

This week has flown by SO fast. Some of my favorite things this week were the Christmas Devotional. I loved Motab! I love the Christmas season. It doesnt feel like Christmas too much here but Im sure it will on Tuesday! Oh!!! Maygen you will enjoy this-I went to the make-up class you were talking about a while ago. It was serisouly awesome!! They basically gave you a make over and gave me a huge bag of Nuskin makeup for free. The lady told me it is valued at around $200!! Sister Missionaries get the perks :)

Jess-Maygen told me you set a date for May1st! Congrats :) Mom also told me that you found some really cute bridesmaid dresses. I need pics!

Oh! I got a letter from my mission President. President Saylin. He basically said my first day I will get there go to the mission home, have interviews, dinner, and a testimony meeting. I am SO excited! Mom-dont worry about sending that stuff in the suit case I left yet. Let me see how things go in the next week. What is even in that bag?? I cant remember. :)

Packing is going to be an adventure. I know I have a lot of stuff. Lets see how creative I have to get!

How are things at home?? Getting ready for Christmas?? Have you played fugitive lately? My companion told me danny won the biggest loser. She is a fan too!

Sorry this email is kinda boring. I'm sure next week I will have SO much to write about. I think I heard that my p-days are Mondays. Not sure?? I will email as soon as I can.

So my Spanish...pretty much still stinks. Hahaha! I'm not joking either. I'm sure Maygen will want to speak a little in Spanish, dont set your expectations too high. :)

One of the things Iam looking forward to the most is that the night before I leave my whole zone sings "God be with you till we meet again" in espanol. It is SO fun! I am going to record it on my camera. So when I send the disc home you will have to watch it.

Overall, I am doing really good. I am just so excited to go to Texas! My week was pretty normal here. It is just all Spanish all the time. Yesterday I was waiting for my companion to get her HEP A shot and I was talking to this Elder from Spain. I told him(in spanish) to talk to me like he would at home. With his spanish I mean. I was SO shocked because I understood like 90% of what he was saying! I was so happy....I couldn't really say much back though. HAHA! Also, he is learning English so I had to speak to him in spanish cause he didnt understand. He was awesome!!

Well....I gotta go! I am so so so so so so excited to talk to you! I love you! Talk to ya soon(i love saying that)

Hermana Richards

HOLA!

Hey everyone!

First off! Jay is engaged?!!! That is super exciting. I knew it was only a matter of time before it would happen. I have to be honest, I cried when I opened that letter and read that. I didn't cry because I was sad. I cried becasue it hit me that I am not home right now and things started to seep in a little bit that I wont be home for another 16 months. I dont know that it has really hit me that I am a missionary. I think it will once I go to Houston. But I am really excited for both of you. I do need pictures though! I am sure you are already planning. Do you have a date yet or any plans?? I need all the details jess.

Bad news...the dearelder machine has been broken for 2 days so I havent gotten anything. They said they are fixing it now and I should have them by tonight. Sorry if I dont respond today to anything :(

OH! Some more bad news....I haven't gotten my travel plans yet. I have no idea why. I was so excited to write you about them. Sorry! I am pretty sure I am leaving the 15th. I will tell you everything next friday. I will call all you from the airport. It might be really early in the morning though. You better answer! Haha

I cannot believe that I am leaving in like 10 days for Texas! I am so excited!! But also really nervous because my Spanish...leaves much to be desired. :) I know the Lord will help me as I make the effort to learn. I love the MTC! I could not have asked for a better district, zone, or teachers. I really have been blessed. My teacher the other night was talking to us about how a district like ours does not come along that often and about how great we are. I feel so blessed. It is hard to think that soon I will have to say goodbye to these Elders that have become like brothers to me.

Cool story...well its not really a story. The same night you all went to Temple Square to see the lights turn on, I was here at the MTC doing the same thing. They have tons on Christmas lights in this main plaza area. It was so cool. Everyone was taking pictures. It made me feel closer to you all because I knew thats what you were doing in SLC. But i at the time didnt know that was when Jess was getting engaged.

I am doing SO good! I am Spanish all the time it seems like. I love it! I wish I was better but I know htat the more I practice the better my Spanish will be.

So I kind of had a small moment that I missed decorating for Christmas. You all know I was always the one to do the tree. I miss decorating the tree this year :( It was always my job. The tree doesnt look as good this year right??? Cause I didn't do it. LOL :)

I hope you all have a great week! You are always in my prayers :)

Love,
Hermana Richards

Happy Black Friday!!!

Hola Familia!

How was Thanksgiving??? I'm sure it was a complete mad house at Grandmas with everyone. Did you all go watch a movie last night?

My Thanksgiving was actually pretty good. My companions and I woke up that morning and had breakfast out of a vending machine because we had to get in line for the morning devotional. YES...I stood outside for 2 hours in the freezing cold to get a seat(just like you gys stood outside in the freezing cold on black friday!). Because there are so many missionaries here they do not have room for everyone in the gym so there is an overflow of like 700 missionaries in another building. I didn't want ot be in there because our Branch President told me Elder Holland was coming!!! His devotional was probably the best talk I have ever heard from him(better than his at conference)! I cried through most of it. He talked about 3 main things he was Thankful for: his family, his mission, and Heavenly Fathers love. I want to share a few things about what he said concerning family. "It is beyond my ability to say how grateful I am for my family. I would join the church if the only doctrine I knew of was eternal families. I could not concieve heaven without my family. It would not be heaven without them. Many of you may feel homesick today. Good! I want you to be homesick. Because it now that you are gone that you have a greater appriciation for them. There is an empty seat today at your families Thanksgiving table. Make sure that you get everyone "home". Make sure that there are no empty chairs in the celestial kingdom. This homesickness you feel is only a portion of the homsesickness Heavenly Father has for His children." He closed his talk with my favorite quote: "I am NOT devoting my life to a fairy tale! This is God's truth!" His talk was so powerful! I could barely read what I was writting through my tears. It made my Thanksgiving.

For thanksgiving dinner(lunch-I ate at 12:30) we had turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, pumpkin and apple pie, yams, brocoli salad thing, jello salad, etc. It wasnt bad. For dinner we jsut had a sack dinner thing. OH! We did a bunch of cool service projects though. I colored some book things for kids and we put together first aid kits. It was really fun! One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving I set up. In my district I thought it would be a good itdea for everyone to bring some pictures of their family and tell about them. We called it "family share". It was so cool to see pics of the Elders families. My district feels like my family here. I love them all so much! Overall, my Thanksgiving was really good!

Thank you so much for the cards and packages. Dad & Kolette-my district basically loves you for all the candy, bread, etc. Thank you so much!

Funny story-so I was trying to fix my companions necklace and I thought I woudl use a tiny bit of super glue to get the job done. Well, all the sudden a ton came out on my hands. Well it has been 3 days and I still have glue on my hands. I tried nail filing it down, rubbing alcohol, hot water, etc. HAHA! never again!

One thing that my disrtict does every other day is called English Fasts. It is basically where we do not speak any English. It is SO hard! haha...Como se dice??(HOw do you say...) is my favorite phrase. It has been fun though.

I have a new nickname with my district. I am now called 'MOM'. I taught Elder Fernelius how to sew on a button 3 days ago. And another elder has a cold so I agve him meds. It was funny cause he was like "Mom how much do I take" I then had to show him the line he had to pour it to. Those are only af ew examples of how I am the district 'mom'. HAHA

I am doing really good here a the MTC. I only have 2.5 weeks left! It is so crazy! I get my travel plans on Wed. So next imte I email I will give you the info. So I was thinking about somethings you could send me for Christmas. Not that I am asking for anything but I know you will send stuff so I figured I would give you ideas. Address labels(like of my address in Houston). It takes so long to write out my address. Another idea is some more proactive step #1. I'm good on all the other steps.

Thanks for everything! I leave for Texas on Dec. 14th! I am so excited. Have a wonderful week. I am praying for all of you!

Love,
Hermana Richards