tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69604665981853719842024-03-13T10:53:40.539-05:00Called to Serve in BRASIL!!!<center><b>Keep up with Sister Richardson as she shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Brazil.<br>Missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 18 months.</b></center>Sister Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05025807913029122517noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-32244687110757393992011-08-20T17:51:00.000-05:002011-08-20T17:51:20.649-05:00Lauren has a Talk TomorrowLauren has a talk (like a speech) at church tomorrow. You are all welcome to attend. Services start at 9:00 am Sunday. She'd love it if you could make it. Here are the details...<br />
<br />
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints<br />
8140 Racine Trl<br />
Austin, TX 78717<br />
9:00 amJoe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-75784487637608240732011-08-04T11:17:00.001-05:002011-08-04T11:18:12.720-05:00Lauren Starts 2 Day Trip HomeHere's what we know about Laurens trip home: <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rJGU2kp938/Th8h7bDXI7I/AAAAAAAAAG4/SdwvmHytJwA/s1600/recife-mormon-temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rJGU2kp938/Th8h7bDXI7I/AAAAAAAAAG4/SdwvmHytJwA/s200/recife-mormon-temple.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RECIFE BRAZIL TEMPLE </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yesterday was <b>Laurens last day</b> in her area in Joao Pessoa. She probably said lots of goodbyes and then in the afternoon traveled across the city to the mission office with other missionaries to have an 'exit' dinner with President and Sister Hall. <br />
<br />
<b>This morning</b>, very early, she got in a van and traveled south about 2 hours to the city of Recife. There she attended the temple with other missionaries who are also going home. Hopefully she also got to meet up with Waldemar y Herminia Arballo. An awesome couple from Brazil that we knew here in Round Rock. They are serving as missionaries at the Recife temple.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s1600/tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s200/tam.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="tpl0_mainSection"><span class="xWidget xPrintAdaptX xPrintAdaptY xBlock" id="w5" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="xWidget xPrintAdaptX xPrintAdaptY" id="w6" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="xWidget xPrintAdaptX xPrintAdaptY" id="w19" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="w19_flightName">TAM Linhas Aéreas</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>After attending the temple she was off to the airport to catch a 12:30 flight to Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo will bring back lots of memories! Being in the same place she started 18 months a go will probably make it sink in that she's really coming home. She has a layover of 5+ hours in Sao Paulo then gets on a red-eye flight to Detroit. She'll wake up landing in Detroit around 8 in the morning <b>tomorrow</b>. Then wait another 5+ hours in the airport for her flight to Austin.<br />
<br />
She should arrive at the Austin airport at 4:00 <b>tomorrow</b>. That's a 31 hour trip! We can't wait to see her! She doesn't know but we're taking her to Rudy's after the airport. <br />
<br />
Remember the open house is Saturday from 6 to 9.Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-51941037726348343712011-07-27T01:00:00.000-05:002011-07-27T01:00:10.092-05:00HappinessYou waste time and <b><a href="http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/">happiness </a></b>just wishing your time away for the next thing to come along. Be happy where you are at and be <b><a href="http://lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=patience"> patient</a></b>. One of my companions had a hard time and I explained to her that you have to <b><a href="http://mormon.org/choice/">choose </a></b>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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIeXThGwjDA/Ti1whgMo-II/AAAAAAAAAHc/CvbrNwc6mdg/s1600/DSC08499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIeXThGwjDA/Ti1whgMo-II/AAAAAAAAAHc/CvbrNwc6mdg/s320/DSC08499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFvaHw0ovu8/Ti1wofBLRAI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tlrYWdAEn58/s1600/DSC08365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFvaHw0ovu8/Ti1wofBLRAI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tlrYWdAEn58/s320/DSC08365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4KDblQhNwQ/Ti1wwbs7JlI/AAAAAAAAAHk/jY2_zdqOgQs/s1600/DSC08602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4KDblQhNwQ/Ti1wwbs7JlI/AAAAAAAAAHk/jY2_zdqOgQs/s320/DSC08602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJRFwZjsV8M/Ti1w2yiessI/AAAAAAAAAHo/tu4VhFJXLn0/s1600/DSC08622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJRFwZjsV8M/Ti1w2yiessI/AAAAAAAAAHo/tu4VhFJXLn0/s320/DSC08622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vj56SexZWTQ/Ti1xAJcOnuI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mCv_SRhj0uA/s1600/DSC08817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vj56SexZWTQ/Ti1xAJcOnuI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mCv_SRhj0uA/s320/DSC08817.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-39162336553893457572011-07-26T01:00:00.000-05:002011-07-26T01:00:09.788-05:00Baptisms, Showers from a BucketThis 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<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I'm stoked for this weeks work and adventures of the french city of Bayeux! haha Beijos! Sister RichardsonJoe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-80605313670220955972011-07-25T08:30:00.000-05:002011-07-25T08:30:14.709-05:00A few Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ66Kt57huI/Tiy1WJb5YvI/AAAAAAAAAG8/MIq1YEfjhH0/s1600/DSC07006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ66Kt57huI/Tiy1WJb5YvI/AAAAAAAAAG8/MIq1YEfjhH0/s320/DSC07006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GVDKrWatVw/Tiy1hGrZyJI/AAAAAAAAAHA/g2w1VuWHsv0/s1600/DSC08243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GVDKrWatVw/Tiy1hGrZyJI/AAAAAAAAAHA/g2w1VuWHsv0/s320/DSC08243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd2rckyQt8g/Tiy1kpXjDLI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3ZSEbPw64fg/s1600/DSC08320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd2rckyQt8g/Tiy1kpXjDLI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3ZSEbPw64fg/s320/DSC08320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6YOBi_mAyA/Tiy1sMw3S9I/AAAAAAAAAHI/pPydgnAd8Ow/s1600/DSC08322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6YOBi_mAyA/Tiy1sMw3S9I/AAAAAAAAAHI/pPydgnAd8Ow/s320/DSC08322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nl4R0N2KBI/Tiy103SG5wI/AAAAAAAAAHM/nnqXxdJQv60/s1600/DSC08327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nl4R0N2KBI/Tiy103SG5wI/AAAAAAAAAHM/nnqXxdJQv60/s320/DSC08327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHKZTJkeIw/Tiy16VER-4I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/mggzJwDRlm0/s1600/DSC08358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHKZTJkeIw/Tiy16VER-4I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/mggzJwDRlm0/s320/DSC08358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xZOQRqTzOk/Tiy2EyLarVI/AAAAAAAAAHU/rgXAuOeVIv0/s1600/DSC08496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xZOQRqTzOk/Tiy2EyLarVI/AAAAAAAAAHU/rgXAuOeVIv0/s320/DSC08496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQonZVBVtg8/Tiy2IPNbNiI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Ap_qq0tUhag/s1600/DSC08540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQonZVBVtg8/Tiy2IPNbNiI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Ap_qq0tUhag/s320/DSC08540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-54616014695149127582011-07-14T12:24:00.000-05:002011-07-14T12:24:46.138-05:00Come to an Open House for Lauren<b>Lauren has 2 weeks left on her mission.</b> No, we cant believe it either! Her last couple days she will travel from Joao Pessoa to Recife. There she will go to the <a href="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/recife/gallery/">Recife Brazil temple </a>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. <br />
<br />
<b>FRIDAY AT THE AIRPORT </b><br />
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. <br />
<br />
<b>SATURDAY IS AN OPEN HOUSE</b><br />
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. (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=510+king+eider+lane,+cedar+park,+tx&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&gl=us&z=16">map</a>) <br />
<br />
<b>SKYPE</b><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rJGU2kp938/Th8h7bDXI7I/AAAAAAAAAG4/SdwvmHytJwA/s1600/recife-mormon-temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rJGU2kp938/Th8h7bDXI7I/AAAAAAAAAG4/SdwvmHytJwA/s640/recife-mormon-temple.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recife Brazil Temple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s1600/tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s320/tam.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Notice the soccer ball on the nose? Yes, this is a Brazilian airline - TAM - her first flight is on one of these.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-7371911107763081002011-07-04T10:46:00.047-05:002011-07-04T10:46:00.998-05:00Lauren with Michael Jackson in Brazil?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZcOhHvFBIg/ThECsTaDmzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L0R5A7YEYew/s1600/DSC09449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZcOhHvFBIg/ThECsTaDmzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L0R5A7YEYew/s400/DSC09449.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, that's Lauren... No, that's not really the king of pop - but looks convincing! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu59OC6RxCo/ThECvuuF1DI/AAAAAAAAAGw/x3XoXwfJqXE/s1600/DSC09456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu59OC6RxCo/ThECvuuF1DI/AAAAAAAAAGw/x3XoXwfJqXE/s320/DSC09456.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here she is presenting him with a free <a href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon/">Book of Mormon</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JX_0M2taiE/ThECzT6YKBI/AAAAAAAAAG0/po4e2raj-h0/s1600/DSC09466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JX_0M2taiE/ThECzT6YKBI/AAAAAAAAAG0/po4e2raj-h0/s320/DSC09466.JPG" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go For What You Want<br />
And Don't Forget The <b>Faith</b><br />
Look At Yourself<br />
And What You Doin' Right Now<br />
Stand Back A Minute<br />
Just To Check Yourself Out<br />
Straighten Out Your Life<br />
And How You're Livin' Each Day<br />
Get Yourself Together<br />
'Cause You Got To "<b>Keep The Faith</b>"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-83528488290742447972011-07-03T10:46:00.000-05:002011-07-03T10:46:01.458-05:00Washing Clothes and Painting the "Air Conditioner"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAz3Uo-6r_o/TgebZWiyYYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/AK50jIXBn_k/s1600/DSC08385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAz3Uo-6r_o/TgebZWiyYYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/AK50jIXBn_k/s400/DSC08385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes when there is no water they wash clothes by hand. She seems to be having fun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNYoyxp7lWU/TgedPUeqvNI/AAAAAAAAAGo/vWa_N-n9044/s1600/DSC08350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNYoyxp7lWU/TgedPUeqvNI/AAAAAAAAAGo/vWa_N-n9044/s640/DSC08350.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-4221273192405438532011-06-29T15:18:00.000-05:002011-06-29T15:18:00.438-05:00Being a Greenie (way back when)Thought we better put these two pictures on her blog before it's too late. This was in the very beginning of her mission. A 'Greenie" is a new missionary. She's not green now - but way back in the beginning it looks like she was. Even the her shirt is green. The flag of Brasil is on the table in front of her along with all kinds of green things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FivrfW4nwjA/TgeVn-SVFFI/AAAAAAAAAGc/T_3Oi3PjW5Y/s1600/DSC07135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FivrfW4nwjA/TgeVn-SVFFI/AAAAAAAAAGc/T_3Oi3PjW5Y/s400/DSC07135.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Gwj11OJz4/TgeVrVLNlmI/AAAAAAAAAGg/JWItBlCk8tU/s1600/DSC07136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Gwj11OJz4/TgeVrVLNlmI/AAAAAAAAAGg/JWItBlCk8tU/s400/DSC07136.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0Natal - Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil-5.7944784999999994 -35.210953099999983-5.892986 -35.28087859999998 -5.6959709999999992 -35.141027599999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-3962671690488740802011-06-28T14:59:00.002-05:002011-06-28T14:59:00.386-05:00Yes, Lauren took her Texan flag on her mission. A true Texan!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svDbl1Ntu10/TgeRK3uBKeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/bjBr-WP-rPA/s1600/DSC09026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svDbl1Ntu10/TgeRK3uBKeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/bjBr-WP-rPA/s640/DSC09026.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't Mess with this Texan Sister!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqv0y_X3hZ8/TgeRDxNgq8I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/l5tHXYFH4Wk/s1600/DSC09020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqv0y_X3hZ8/TgeRDxNgq8I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/l5tHXYFH4Wk/s400/DSC09020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Got TEXAS? Lauren does.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhNpA4Q-hKM/TgeRHRgsb_I/AAAAAAAAAGU/taahQVY7MUs/s1600/DSC09022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhNpA4Q-hKM/TgeRHRgsb_I/AAAAAAAAAGU/taahQVY7MUs/s400/DSC09022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She loves Texas (and Brazil and Colombia too)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-57938316162781138322011-06-26T10:32:00.000-05:002011-06-26T10:32:45.926-05:00Friends and Food<span style="font-size: small;">Get ready y'all! Over the next 6 weeks we will be posting the best pictures from her mission. Videos too. As Lauren would say we're "<i><b>fixin</b></i>" to blast you with pictures! Hang on for the ride!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s1600/tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/k97_lxKj11U/0.jpg" height="400" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k97_lxKj11U?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="500" height="400" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k97_lxKj11U?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXU1mVLOxmQ/TgdP3W-geEI/AAAAAAAAAGA/5yQkGlUP6do/s1600/DSC08234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXU1mVLOxmQ/TgdP3W-geEI/AAAAAAAAAGA/5yQkGlUP6do/s400/DSC08234.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDsNrRH2LAo/TgdP6GSFF4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/f3FRUq1wQwc/s1600/DSC08308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDsNrRH2LAo/TgdP6GSFF4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/f3FRUq1wQwc/s400/DSC08308.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkzYZ5f25KE/TgdP9ZqV8OI/AAAAAAAAAGI/76aQZAxnk8o/s1600/DSC08377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkzYZ5f25KE/TgdP9ZqV8OI/AAAAAAAAAGI/76aQZAxnk8o/s400/DSC08377.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LaaO_iC0A/TgdQJL4J12I/AAAAAAAAAGM/X_aL3t9kZKU/s1600/DSC08378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LaaO_iC0A/TgdQJL4J12I/AAAAAAAAAGM/X_aL3t9kZKU/s400/DSC08378.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s1600/tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipw8Aky95YY/S7F05JxESdI/AAAAAAAAACY/wTt4lWNiYMU/s400/tam.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">LAUREN ARRIVES HOME 4:00PM 8/5/2011 (FRIDAY) You are welcome to come to the airport to welcome her home. She'll love it!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-58918204865431787752011-06-20T10:20:00.000-05:002011-06-20T10:20:05.970-05:00Excited to Continue Working Until My Very Last MinuteI'm super excited to continue working until my very last minute as a Sister. Its been the best thing in the world and i cant even express all the love i have for being a missionary. I try and tell the youth about what its like but there is not possible way for them to understand until they go and give it their heart.<br />
<br />
<b>Girllede & Lucas </b><br />
Found out amazing news this week. Lucas who was inactive, we were able to help him get to church! he is 20 so he can go on a mission and would be a wonderful missionary, but he didn't have the desire and wanted to get married to his girlfriend Girllede. Well they are ala Bayeux centro so sister de oliviera and siste Barreto are taking care of them, but a miracle happened! well, Girllede is catholic and even wanted to be a nun before. she has been coming to church for like a year, but for some reason the missionaries never taught her. she lives in another area in joao pessoa, but always comes here with her fiance. She knows the church is true and is going to be baptized!!! Then she was talking with Lucas and asked why he doesn't go and be an elder? why he didn't have the priesthood and she started crying and he looked at her and said he´d go on a mission!!!!!!! she may even go as well!!!!!! We have been working and praying soo hard and his family and the ward even more! it was sooooo amazing to know that he is going to be a missionary. Their future moved completely. just for the decision to serve a mission. His eternal future is completely different now. way cool.<br />
<br />
<b>Pedro</b> <br />
We met Pedro yesterday! just contacted him on the street and he is 24. likes religion and has never been baptized. his concern is mattew 24:5 authority and falso Christ and prophets. he doesn't drink smoke or party. and will come to church next Sunday! we marked his baptism for 2 weeks so we're are really excited to help him gain a testimony and get prepared!<br />
<br />
<b>Young Women</b><br />
tomorrow we are going out with the young women to teach their friends. they are super excited to go on a mission so it will be way fun to help them learn about it and teach their friends the gospel too.<br />
<br />
<b>Dancing Cows in the USA</b><br />
we had lunch with Bishop Silva. suuuuuuper cool family and they are super humble. love them tons. well Bishop yesterday started talking about this cow on TV that was in the united states. he saw it dancing on TV and insisted that cows really can dance. hahah. you know people here think the US is suuuper dangerous? haha<br />
<br />
<b>Dancing</b><br />
Yesterday we saw abunch of people at the park doing capoeira! swwwuuuaheeeett! its a dance kind of light fighting. it originated a long time ago and is a brasilian tradition. Way cool. look it up on you tube.<br />
<br />
<b>The Lighthouse </b><br />
also today we had zone pday! at the lighthouse in joao pessoa. the most easter point of the americas! a picnique and taking pictures. with the brasiian and texas flag :) way fun. AND REEGULAR clothes that was fun!.<br />
<br />
<b>Priest with Rock Band</b><br />
Proselytizing this week down liberdade there was a catholic porciession for maria and all the cars lined up and were driving behind the statue of maria and there wqas a carro de som. the huge cars that are speakers. ill send a picture next week. and there was a rock band on top with the priest. we waved when they drove by and he blessed us. it was cool.<br />
<br />
I love you!!! Sister RichardsonJoe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-16502529993178768262011-06-13T10:27:00.000-05:002011-06-13T10:27:01.244-05:00Fun Pictures of Lauren<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSngqg5nTZA/TfYmEZTbTYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Z3Qglxn94w8/s1600/Ponta+Dos+Seixas.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSngqg5nTZA/TfYmEZTbTYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Z3Qglxn94w8/s400/Ponta+Dos+Seixas.gif" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the eastern most point of all north and south America. Lauren is here with her zone on a p-day. This is called <b>Ponta Dos Seixas</b>. It's closer to Africa than it is to the opposite western border of Brazil. It's 3 times closer to Africa from here than to Florida.</span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhS0ELtp4eY/TfYnzCYBw9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/hTdVHvFEe2E/s1600/P-Day+at+McDonalds.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhS0ELtp4eY/TfYnzCYBw9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/hTdVHvFEe2E/s320/P-Day+at+McDonalds.gif" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">P-day at McDonald's. This might have been the only McDonald's she saw on her mission. Not sure why she's making this face... did she find something in there? Is it really small compared to a Mighty Fine burger back in Texas? </span><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FR_CyRq6rVE/TfYpATZ1opI/AAAAAAAAAF8/CaiG18l8oyE/s1600/hold-that-tiger.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FR_CyRq6rVE/TfYpATZ1opI/AAAAAAAAAF8/CaiG18l8oyE/s320/hold-that-tiger.gif" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who's the scariest? (the one without the whiskers) If you don't think so - then you don't know her...</span></div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-26314316302452766512011-06-05T18:57:00.000-05:002011-06-05T18:57:45.549-05:00VIDEO: Lauren speaking and reading fluently in Portuguese<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the video below, Lauren is reading some of her favorite verses from the scriptures.</b><span style="font-size: small;"> (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng">Link here</a>) We were only able to figure out what she was reading because we know Spanish.</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Now behold, a <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote0" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=1a&lang=eng">marvelous</a> work is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, O ye that embark in the <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote1" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=2a&lang=eng">service</a> of God, see that ye <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote2" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=2b&lang=eng">serve</a> him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote3" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=2c&lang=eng">blameless</a>. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote4" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=3a&lang=eng">called</a> to the work; For behold the <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote5" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=4a&lang=eng">field</a> is white already to <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote6" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=4b&lang=eng">harvest</a>; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote7" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=4c&lang=eng">store</a> that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; And <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote8" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5a&lang=eng">faith</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote9" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5b&lang=eng">hope</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote10" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5c&lang=eng">charity</a> and <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote11" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5d&lang=eng">love</a>, with an <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote12" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5e&lang=eng">eye</a> single to the <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote13" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5f&lang=eng">glory</a> of God, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote14" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=5g&lang=eng">qualify</a> him for the work. Remember faith, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote15" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6a&lang=eng">virtue</a>, knowledge, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote16" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6b&lang=eng">temperance</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote17" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6c&lang=eng">patience</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote18" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6d&lang=eng">brotherly</a> <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote19" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6e&lang=eng">kindness</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote20" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6f&lang=eng">godliness</a>, charity, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote21" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6g&lang=eng">humility</a>, <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote22" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=6h&lang=eng">diligence</a>. <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote23" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=7a&lang=eng">Ask</a>, and ye shall receive; <a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng#" id="footnote24" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=4&noteID=7b&lang=eng">knock</a>, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen. before God at the last day.</span>" </i></blockquote><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_--ezmeSf68?hl=en&fs=1" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iB3UkZp3mpU?hl=en&fs=1" width="500"></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkJc6gcxqro/TewUg1JYNnI/AAAAAAAAAFw/yCI93clEiD8/s1600/_reading-scriptures.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkJc6gcxqro/TewUg1JYNnI/AAAAAAAAAFw/yCI93clEiD8/s400/_reading-scriptures.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">PLEASE WRITE LAUREN! </span> She loves getting letters since she can't facebook or email while on her mission. Letters only take 10 days or so to get to her. She has 60 days left so please send her a note and let her know how you're doing. <br />
Her address is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span>Sister Lauren Richardson<br />
Missao Brasil / Joao Pessoa<br />
Rua Dep. Jose Mariz #515<br />
Tambauzinho<br />
Joao Pessoa<br />
PB, </span>Brazil<br />
<span>58042-020</span>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-4631627685344016562011-05-15T15:20:00.000-05:002011-05-15T15:20:47.960-05:003 Months LeftSister De Oliveira got a new companion. she is training too! sis haygood and i are still here in bayeux and sis de oliveira will be in bayeux centro. that is exactly what we were wanting!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Yesterday we went to João pessoa and hung out in the escritorio all day while sister De Oliveria was waiting for her companion. we got to eat at subways! right across the beach! we couldn't go across the street, but it was beautiful even just to see it! perfect weather and not to sunny. we were there with some of the elders who were training too well we were all waiting for subways to open. and then a bunch of kids came over. they were in high school and they sat down and started talking. I decided to go over there and talk with them there were like 6 boys and asked them their names and then just talking to them. Subways opened and they all ran in front of us to get the food. dang it. but it was ok. so we were in line and one of the boys was in front of me and i was debating if i should try and talk to him or not, cuz i didn't want the manager to get angry and he was fixing to order his food, but i couldn't resist and just talked to him. He actually looked like my friend Loren who served in Russia his name is lucas and is 17 he was way cool.taught him about the plan of salvation and who and why we need Jesus Christ that all of us wouldn't have a way to get back to heavenly father because we sin. we needed a salvador. He is going to church this Sunday, but he´s in the elders area so i wont see him anymore<br />
<br />
Also we got to hear fro Elder Arújo! He is the new seventy of our mission and he is suuuupper coool!!! HE taught us a ton of stuff and he is super on fire about missionary work . ILOVED it! He talked ab out how the biggest sin of misisonary work is not opening your mouth. Just talk to everyone and Obedience! being 100% obedient and giving it your all. Ive been thinking alot now that I'm at the last 3 months. How do i want to be different how can I be better. I wish i could of known all this at the start of my mission. Or understood it really. I knew somethings, just didn't get it really. I just want to focus on doing my 100% and really giving everthing ive got cuz the people and God deserve it. I worked really hard before, but i have to do more now. its time to apply EVERYTHING. trust in the Lord and GO. I'm supper happy here in brasil. its the best. I'm excited to be with sister Haygood. she´s really chill and loves the work. she is from Arkansas so if we are going there by chance when i get back we can visit her family.<br />
<br />
sister RichardsonJoe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-72472121052150362732011-04-24T20:34:00.000-05:002011-04-24T20:34:23.501-05:00Slipping and Falling in the MudWell so this week was great :) Sister De olivieira, sister haygood and i each had our first falls on the mission. pretty good for a year and 2 months. So its been raining a ton. I slipped hardcore on some mud and really should have broken something cuz i fell big time. just a tiny bruise tought. :) Sister haygood slipped in the rain walking up the steps and got a bloody toe and blood blister and sister De olivira slipped without the rain.hahah but she fell right on her knee. and scrapped it up big time. she has knee problems so i was supper worried, but shes ok now. she was the only one that realy got hurt. Weve been having fun thought becuase i lost my umbrela so we just go out in the rain. last tuesday we got poured on 5 times but nobody got a cold :) Weve been having a lot of fun together and learning alot. everyone says trios are hard, but so far we are a great team.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny0a28Sl5AU/TbTO7JWbXBI/AAAAAAAAAFk/FXMfmVi8QoM/s1600/lauren-walkking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny0a28Sl5AU/TbTO7JWbXBI/AAAAAAAAAFk/FXMfmVi8QoM/s400/lauren-walkking.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIlFQBSdC0o/TbTO7y772HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/qJcSV5CNopE/s1600/lauren-baptisms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIlFQBSdC0o/TbTO7y772HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/qJcSV5CNopE/s400/lauren-baptisms.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-17393557072219610982011-04-17T15:24:00.001-05:002011-04-18T09:55:35.426-05:00How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace!This is a note from Lauren's dad, Joe. I just had to get these pictures up on her blog when I saw them. We are so proud of Lauren and the sacrifice she is doing for the Lord and for the people of Brazil. He has really blessed her, her companions and the wards where she has served.<br />
<br />
This picture below reminded me of some scriptures about missionaries feet. Looks like missionaries throughout history have had to walk for years. Lauren and her companion walk many hours every day - probably 10 to 15 miles a day in the hot sun! You can tell by these wonderful tan lines... When Lauren first started her feet and ankles would be swollen by the end of the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87OrRxhZgOs/TaIaFRYkleI/AAAAAAAAAFc/d_zUq_1EQoQ/s1600/mission-feet.JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="25" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87OrRxhZgOs/TaIaFRYkleI/AAAAAAAAAFc/d_zUq_1EQoQ/s400/mission-feet.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">“<span style="color: #741b47;">And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet! And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace! And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!</span>" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/15.18.13-18?lang=eng#17" linkindex="26">Mosiah 15:15-17</a>)</span></b></i> <br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #741b47;">How </span><span class="highlight" style="color: #741b47;">beautiful</span><span style="color: #741b47;"> are the </span><span class="highlight" style="color: #741b47;">feet</span><span style="color: #741b47;"> of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!</span>” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/10.15?lang=eng#14" linkindex="27">Rom. 10:15</a>)</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> "<span style="color: #741b47;">Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/nahum/1.15?lang=eng#14" linkindex="28">Nahum 1:15</a></span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKKDRqS3dfE/TaxQsV-4loI/AAAAAAAAAFg/8XmA2kmM664/s1600/lauren-area-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="29" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKKDRqS3dfE/TaxQsV-4loI/AAAAAAAAAFg/8XmA2kmM664/s400/lauren-area-map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">This is a map of their area. She says it's an hour walk from one end to the other. No cars - just feet! Sometimes they catch a bus but not often.</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-33041109266846945412011-04-12T08:00:00.000-05:002011-04-12T08:00:21.494-05:00Keeping the commandments leaves us free - breaking them makes us prisoners<div style="font-family: inherit;">Well Elizete is progressing a ton. This week we went over to teach <a href="http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/">the first lesson</a> again and she surprised us that she has quit smoking! It’s been a whole week now! <u>She smoked since she was 10</u>! That's 35+ years. She said her mom did in a pipe and she thought it was pretty. </div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">She is so happy to stop and feels free, cuz she was a prisoner to it, angry and agitated when she did smoke and when she didn’t too. It’s interesting to see how <b>keeping the commandments leaves us free and breaking them makes us prisoners</b>. Another couple is having super difficulties, they drink and drink and the situation just gets worse and worse, cuz they never escape the problem, just worsen it and are not themselves and fight and feel like hurting themselves or others. </div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">I knew these things were bad before my mission, <b>but here I can SEE how it actually works</b>. I just think of that scripture that talks about <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28.21?lang=eng#20">the devil leading people carefully down to hell</a>. Because it is so true, starts by a little bit today a little tomorrow and then next you’re the drunk guy passed out on the street every afternoon. Brain-dead. It's sooo sad that people don’t want to listen to the commandments that bless us.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-euB55mnmtss/TaIWc6TVneI/AAAAAAAAAFU/gEcSMLHufw4/s1600/ran-out-of-tolielt-paper-we-found-in-the-church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-euB55mnmtss/TaIWc6TVneI/AAAAAAAAAFU/gEcSMLHufw4/s400/ran-out-of-tolielt-paper-we-found-in-the-church.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">GOT TP? We ran out of toilet paper and found this in the church.</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2VzbylbDv8/TaIWcY6RyYI/AAAAAAAAAFM/c68yNvnE3KY/s400/brazil-ihop.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WOW! Almost as good as IHOP back home!</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1z9-LAKDcFA/TaIVxjOPf6I/AAAAAAAAAFA/_kmjfzoOmYE/s1600/lauren-with-investigator.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1z9-LAKDcFA/TaIVxjOPf6I/AAAAAAAAAFA/_kmjfzoOmYE/s400/lauren-with-investigator.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Lauren with one of their investigators</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-31104891333310603472011-04-10T14:59:00.001-05:002011-04-11T09:39:33.159-05:00General Conference Week<div style="font-family: inherit;">Well, work is going good in the new area, bayeux centro. the members are giving tons of references, Thursday the entire day until 7 was references! The members are awesome! Next week we're going to have a <i>noite de integraçao</i> an activity for people to bring their friends and its all about missionary work. </div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Conference was great! i love the talks and all the things i was able to learn from the speakers and the spirit. it was so neat to hear <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/speakers?lang=eng" linkindex="22">all the apostles</a> and i cant wait to get the conference liahona to read. especially because the priesthood session is always really good. really cool hearing elder Bednar thinking he got revelation to talk about revelation her in joao pessoa.(<a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng" linkindex="23">read or watch</a>) What stood out to me most was the talk by and he said we will be Judged first for what we do, our actions and second for what we desire. We might have good intentions in our hearts, God will take that into consideration, but we have to act. Faith without works is dead (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/2?lang=eng&query=faith+without+works" linkindex="24">James 2:17, 26</a>). You need them both. we had several people that came too and wellington came to 3 sessions. he loved it! Even took out his earring, and we never said anything. ALmir and his mom came, and elizete, elisangelas mom. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wiliana is progressing, shes been to church about 2 months now and yesterday after the conference she ran up smiling and super happy to let us know that she knows the church is true. She is a super sweet girl and she deserves to be happy. Well anaflavia is still going and teaching with us and she is thinking a lot about serving a mission! hahah! we are super excited and she totally is liking the idea.</div>Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-72456578408804811842011-03-21T21:30:00.001-05:002011-03-21T21:30:01.397-05:00I knew you would come, I saw you today.Sunday we were walking to lunch and on the way i said hi to a lady like normal. Then that evening, yesterday, when we went to almirs. It was late, 8:30, and we felt like we should stop by. I clapped my hands (in Brazil you clap your hands in front of the house instead of knocking on the door) and called out almir! Then a lady came to the door and opened a mini door and stuck out her face and smiled! Which was kinda weird cuz ppl normally look a little weird or confused. She opened the gate an said "<i>i knew you would come, i saw you today, down there and you said hi and god told me in my heart that girl in the black dress, those two girls, are going to your house today looking for your son.</i>" Man i felt the holy ghost so strong and a peace and it was amazing that she <u><i>knew</i></u> that we would come. i don't remember her face when i first saw her, but isn't it amazing how God puts the people in our path!!!! God is really in control and he has a plan for us, we just have to do what is right!!! man and she has soooo much faith. her other son has past through many trials too, but man after she told us i just loved amlir so much and heavenly father too cuz i have the opportunity to be an instrument in his hands. i get to see so many miracles and how many of his children are suffering. everybody needs the gospel. Jesus Christ fixes everything and seeing it makes soo much difference in my life to see these people broken and now made whole. Being a missionary is the best thing in the world!Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-9788645977595288392010-08-04T18:00:00.012-05:002010-08-04T18:00:01.531-05:00Dia dos Namorados<b>Dia dos Namorados </b>is the Brazilian equivalent of Valentines Day. To me valentines day is a day to remember the people you love, not to remember what you don't have but to show appreciation to all you do have. To say I love you to all the people you love, friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, neighbors everyone that is in your heart. Here is a poem from the Ensign <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=a2962bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">November 2007 </a>it is titled “<b>Don’t Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today</b>” and I thought it expressed the importance of the people you love.<br />
<br />
<i>I recently read a text which expresses the urgency of not leaving for tomorrow what you can do today. In July of this year <span style="background-color: yellow;">Brazil </span>witnessed the most devastating aircraft accident in its history. There were 199 people killed, including passengers, airline workers, crew members, and others who were at the site when the accident happened. The text I mentioned was said to have been posted on the airline communication board by the husband of one of the flight attendants who died in the accident. It is entitled “Tomorrow Never Comes” and is based upon a poem by Norma Cornett Marek. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If I knew this would be the last time I would watch you sleep, <br />
I would hug you tighter. I would plead with the Lord to protect you. <br />
If I knew this would be the last time I saw you walk out the door, <br />
I would hug and kiss you and call you back to hug and kiss you one more time. <br />
If I knew this would be the last time I would hear your voice in prayer, <br />
I would record every gesture, every look, every smile, every one of your words, <br />
So that I could listen to it later, day after day. <br />
If I knew this would be the last time, <br />
I would spend an extra minute or two to tell you, “I love you,” instead of assuming you already knew it. <br />
If I knew this would be our last time, our last moment, <br />
I would be by your side, spending the day with you instead of thinking, <br />
“Well, I’m sure other opportunities will come, so I can let this day go by.” <br />
Of course there will be a day to revise things, <br />
And we would have a second chance to do things right. <br />
Oh, of course there will be another day for us to say, “I love you.” <br />
And certainly there will be another chance to tell each other, “Can I help with anything?” <br />
But in my case, there isn’t one! <br />
I don’t have you here with me, and today is the last day we have—our farewell. <br />
Therefore I would like to say how much I love you, <br />
And I hope you never forget it. <br />
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old. <br />
Today might be your last chance to hold tight to the hand of the one you love and show all you feel. <br />
If you are waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? <br />
Because if tomorrow never comes, you certainly will regret for the rest of your life <br />
Not having spent some extra time for a smile, a conversation, a hug, a kiss, <br />
Because you were too busy to give that person what ended up being their last wish. <br />
Then hug tight today the one you love, your friends, your family, and whisper in their ears how much you love them and want them close to you. <br />
Use your time to say, <br />
“I’m sorry,” <br />
“Please,” <br />
“Forgive me,” <br />
“Thank you,” <br />
Or even, <br />
“That was nothing,” <br />
“It’s all right,” </span></i><br />
<i>Because if tomorrow never comes, you will not have to regret today. </i><br />
<i>The past doesn’t come back, and the future might not come!</i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
The man that wrote this poem woke up one morning to see his wife walking out the door for work. She was an airline attendant. He thought to get up and give her a kiss and say goodbye but was to tired and went back to sleep. She never came back. Her plane crashed and killed 199 people. I felt like I should read this in testimony meeting. It seems like families everywhere are falling apart. Everybody is getting divorced or separating and kids hate their parents and their siblings. it seemed that so many of the hardships within families could be solved if we just said i love you and decided to forgive and forget instead of hold on too our pride.<br />
<br />
Jesus Christ is the perfect <a href="http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages#p/c/4E784EC0770935C0">example </a>and If we follow him and learn of his attributes like faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, temperance charity, humility and diligence that we can have a better life and a lot more happiness. Be careful with the words we say when we're are angry and take the time to listen to others. We have 2 ears and one mouth for a reason. I love you too those you love, not just on valentines day or <b>Dia dos namorados </b>but everyday because tomorrow might be too late.Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-26532608289814643762010-08-01T17:49:00.002-05:002010-08-01T18:00:16.093-05:00Maneol Gets BaptizedWe had another baptism! Maneol was baptized on Sunday and was sooo excited to finally be baptized. He wanted to get baptized along time ago but couldn't because he has some problem with his heart or lungs. The name is emodialious in Portuguese. He has problems with his organs and had some tubes put in his neck that if any water got in would kill him. Well last week he came up and was like hey sisters look! He showed us the the tubes and was super excited cuz they were different. We were like yeah different that is good. But he was so excited! Then he says but now i can get baptized! I went to the doctor and he put a plastic on it and he asked him if he can i get baptized now. The doctor said "Yes you can!" He was soo happy! At sacrament meeting he came and was taking to me showing me the new plastic and telling me all about how excited he was thinking about how his life was going to be different and he even bore his testimony during the meeting about the gospel of Jesus Christ.Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-62807136529464896502010-06-18T08:00:00.005-05:002010-06-18T08:00:07.059-05:00Jambo Fruit, Blonds and The Country of TexasAlso this past week we were walking home from our lunch and we past a house with a bunch of Jambo fruit. I had never had any and i really wanted some so we hung out under the tree and waited for a moment to see if any would fall. I had a really good idea “<i>Dear God, of it’s ok can you please let some jambo fall from the tree just so I have a little taste? Thank you. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.</i>” Then we looked up and waited like 5 seconds and then 7 jambo fell from the tree!? Sweet!? And it was just enough for a good taste :)<br />
<br />
Something funny is we saw a blond girl the other day. She was way white but just as white or blond as any American. But Sister Dias and I just stared like we had never seen it before hahahahha AND! I’m learning to cook. I have learned to make an amazing carrot cake from scratch and chocolate frosting. <i>Bolo de Senora com cuberito de Chocolate</i> yum! I’ll make it when I get home and also I think next week I’m gonna learn to make black beans :) <br />
<br />
It was so weird the first time i was waking down the sand road with donkeys around me and I hear backstreet boys or some other American band, hahha. I’m in Brazil but I’m hearing English. Some members try to get me to translate for them. People here really like the States and a lot of them want to go to the United States. A few of the Girls in the ward or young men want to serve missions to and want to go to the US. A lot want to go to Utah because that is where a majority of the missionaries are from. Also some cute little girls that live on our street like 5 years old cam up and told us this week that they were playing pretend sister missionaries. That was pretty cool :) A woman in the ward had us over to her house the other day for lunch and she found out I was from Texas, <span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>The Country of Texas</i></b></span> to be exact. Somebody took the liberty of teaching her that Texas is its own country :) He taught her well!Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-13501665273294037302010-06-16T08:00:00.000-05:002010-06-16T08:00:03.319-05:00Tripa!Graziete a super cool lady in the ward. Well we have been helping her paint and are trying to teach other members in her family go to church too. She has a daughter who was I Spain on a scholarship for the sport handball. I haven’t ever seen handball but its pretty popular around here. Anyway she came home to visit for a month and we got to meet her. She is way cool and wants us to teach her boyfriend. She is also like 6 feet 2 and is going to Japan for the OLYMPICS. She’s going to train in Sao Paulo for a bit and then head to Japan. I think it’s the Junior Olympics but it’s pretty sweet. Graziete was sooooo happy! We had scheduled to help paint the walls and then eat lunch. We had churrasco;. kind of like bbq and this stew with beans and a bunch of random cow parts. I just had the beans. BUT THEN Marcia asked if I had ever had <b>TRIPA!</b> NOOOOOOOOOOOOoo and then appeared this crusty white snake looking thing on the bbq plate. She cut off a peace and gave it to me!!!!!!!!!!! It was SMALL INTESTINE OF A COW!!!!!!!!!! She said Eat it! NO! Eat it No! Here! I took it in my hand and screamed!!!!!! ahhh it was sooo gross!! Eat it! Ahhh AND THEN I ATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! It was terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It tasted like deep fried salt! ugh soooo gross. She said next time I’m gonna have bishu (aka cow stomach and tongue!) Holy moly.Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960466598185371984.post-45355207011733417612010-06-14T08:00:00.002-05:002010-06-15T13:28:21.521-05:00Baptism is so special<b>Baptism </b>is so special. It is done by being completely <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/3/16#16">immersed in the water</a> and symbolizes being cleansed of sin. If you have a dirty shirt you don’t just wash the sleeves and the collar and call it good. You have to wash the whole thing. That is why you are baptize you must <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/1/10#10">completely go under the water</a>. It also <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/rom/6/3-4#3">symbolizes the death of sin and new life </a>when you come out of the water that your sins have been washed away and you are clean again.<br />
<br />
We are excited for Jonathan’s baptism next week. Also Joanna and Mario. Joana had a heart attack last week and was in the hospital for almost the whole week. She got out a couple days ago and is feeling a little better. She came to church yesterday and said that she is going to church whether Mario wants to or not, cuz she wants too. She is determined and is still very excited for baptism.<br />
<br />
I love being a missionary and it’s something special when you put your heart into something. You are happy when the people you love and teach make progress and choose to follow the Lord, but when they turn away it defiantly hurts too. I know that this is where I’m supposed to be and I don’t regret being here right now instead of at home. I love the people and I love the gospel I know that <a href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/">Jesus Christ </a>is the only way that we can come back to live with our father in heaven. I am so thankful for the <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_ne/1">Book of Mormon</a>, the <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gen/1">Bible</a>, all the prophets and their righteousness.Joe Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633458321965675132noreply@blogger.com1