Lauren Richardson

Called to Serve in BRASIL!!!

You waste time and happiness just wishing your time away for the next thing to come along. Be happy where you are at and be patient. One of my companions had a hard time and I explained to her that you have to choose to be happy now. Some people think I´ll be happy when, i go home or next transfer or next area. or whatever. That is a lie. You have to chose to be happy now. The people with the other attitude are never happy. Life is just an eternal journey. Being happy just at the end is choosing to never be happy at all.

This week sister carvalho was sick so we didn't get to work like we wanted too. I love missionary work and this week was awesome cuz it was wellingtons baptism! it was amazing! im sorry i forgot to bring the camera for pictures! but it was great! Damião baptized him and his mom came. she is blind so i described it to her as he was walking in the baptismal font. She was soo happy. she cried and really has a testimony too and during the hymn she told me she wanted to be baptized too, that she had already talked with her husband but needed permission. We are praying that he is ok with it and will accept it too! Valmir also went to the baptism. A family member had died and he had just been to the funeral, but he came. It was very faithful of him,this week we went and taught him and we helped him see that his faith is growing. a few weeks ago the first part we marked in the book of Mormon was Alma 32. then he went to church by himself and when i asked what part he liked the most he told me the exact verses. 26-28. he is very observant and quoted his favorite part of stake conference. He said he was just going to learn about the religion,but well we helped him see that his faith is growing and he can gain his own testimony and but he needs to be committed to do his part. we are super excited for him too. He has decided to look for his testimony sio its awesome. We also started teaching adeliane and her son. She is really excited to go to church and read and pray. She read the Restoration pamphlet and loved it and really wanted to know about Moroni

Oh! big news! so it rains like everyday the past 2 months maybe more. It rained so much yesterday that the machines that pump water to the town flooded. So they had to turn them off to prevent problems. That means that we are without water. For 5 days. This was normal in Tibiri, but we had a neighbor that had a well so we took showers from the bucket. now the 4 of us have 30 liters for the next 5 days! drinking water, toilets, dishes and shower-aka sponge bath... gross. Sister De Oliviera was joking saying the city Bayeux is literally turning french for the next 5 days hahah. yuck but nothing we can do. Oh man i remember laughing when i read that in the missionary handbook, missionaries should take a shower everyday when possible. well try to catch some rain water :) jk

I'm stoked for this weeks work and adventures of the french city of Bayeux! haha Beijos! Sister Richardson

Lauren has 2 weeks left on her mission. No, we cant believe it either!  Her last couple days she will travel from Joao Pessoa to Recife.  There she will go to the Recife Brazil temple with other missionaries who are also going home.  On Friday 8/5 she will fly from Recife to Sao Paulo to Detroit to Austin.  A 31 hour trip!  17 hours in the air, 14 hours waiting in airports. It will be a day full of mixed feelings; leaving the people she loves and served for a 18 months but also coming home to friends and family. 

FRIDAY AT THE AIRPORT 
If you live in or near Austin and you'd like to greet her with us at the airport you are welcome to come. She'd love it! Her flight should arrive at 4:00 pm on Friday August 5th. After the airport we are taking her directly to an undisclosed location - so no paparazzi please.

SATURDAY IS AN OPEN HOUSE
You are also welcome to come to an open house for Lauren the next day on Saturday 8/6 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  Please drop in and see Lauren. You can come anytime before 9 pm. Our new address: 510 King Eider Lane, Cedar Park. (map)

SKYPE
If you know Lauren but are not in the Austin area you can see and talk with her on Skype.  It's free.  She has an account and can see her and talk that way.  Email joe@justgetproductive.com and I will pass your 'skype name' on to her so she can see you.  If you don't have Skype then now's your chance.

Recife Brazil Temple

Notice the soccer ball on the nose?  Yes, this is a Brazilian airline - TAM - her first flight is on one of these.

Yes, that's Lauren... No, that's not really the king of pop - but looks convincing!

Here she is presenting him with a free Book of Mormon.

Go For What You Want And Don't Forget The Faith Look At Yourself And What You Doin' Right Now Stand Back A Minute Just To Check Yourself Out Straighten Out Your Life And How You're Livin' Each Day Get Yourself Together 'Cause You Got To "Keep The Faith"

Sometimes when there is no water they wash clothes by hand. She seems to be having fun.

We think Lauren painted this - not sure. This keeps them cool at home.  Looks like it gets lots of attention. From her blog page, you can CLICK on the pink fan blade to see what it says.