"Holy grandmother!"

Transfer news: Sister Call went home and I'm staying in Taylor and I'm training a new missionary named Sister Thumbstedter (pronounced exactly how it looks with all letters making their sounds- thuhm-stead-ter), she's most recently from the Chicago area and she's awesome! I'm so excited to serve with her. The explanation for the subject: This exclamation came from an announcer at my State basketball game my sophomore year when I, a then 5'3.5" point guard, got an offensive rebound (unusual), went right up with it and made a sweet reverse layup. Anyway- I'm now a grandmother because Sister Pazmino is also training this transfer! Super exciting :) The other awesome transfer news is that Sister Lyons is serving with the Sisters next door now so she's my neighbor and it's been so fun to catch up with her! 

My birthday was one of the best! We had a 24-hour missionary out with us- Auralin who's going to be serving in the WA Everett mission and leaves next month. I made egg pancakes for us for breakfast and then we got to work! We taught 8 lessons. A typical day is about 4-5, I've never taught 8 lessons in one day- best birthday present!!! We had lunch at Celebrations and they sang to me and us sisters shared the piece of almond joy cake they gave me! YUM. We had dinner with two of my favorite families up here and there were more candles and more cake. I'm so appreciative for all the packages, letters and emails- thank you! 

Last week I was able to give out two copies of the Book of Mormon which makes the total number of copies given to nonmembers while street contacting during the time I've been in Taylor two. So sad :( But we're really trying! One of the copies I gave was to a 20 year old guy named Joaquin (pronounced wa-keen, just in case you didn't know). We were trying to contact a referral we received from Elder Corbridge and Elder Southward of the seventy for a less-active they talked to at a gas station while they were here for stake conference (my question is what were they buying?? gas? or caffeine?) and Joaquin practically flagged us down. He told us that he had spoken to guy missionaries before and that they invited him to church and said they'd get him a ride, Sundaycame around, he was all ready and they never called and no one came. Sad day.. I told him we'd love for him to come to church and started teaching about the BoM and gave him a copy. He was so excited! We got his phone number and a vague address like the ones you always get up here in the mtns- 3 miles out East the big house on the left. We were able to give his info to the sisters and they're now trying to teach him! That was exciting. Not many of our street contacts turn into referrals. Oh and we did contact the referral from the Seventy and she said she'd call us when she gets settled in her new place.

One of the inactive convert families we've been working with and teaching came to church on Sunday for the first time in a long time! That was so awesome. Jeff also has to work on Sundays now until 12:00 and his ward starts at11:00 so he was thinking he was going to miss out on church but we reassured and explained to him that he can attend other wards so he came to the 1:00 ward with us and stayed all three hours! He's so awesome. He's still attending the temple and he's been exercising his Priesthood.

We had great lessons with Brent and Brother Holladay. Both are struggling at coming to church but I know that they have the desire and want to. We'll keep teaching, encouraging and committing and hopefully they'll come this week! 

I have the opportunity to speak this Sunday about- I'm sure you can guess it..... MISSIONARY WORK! I hope I'll be inspired by the Spirit to say something that will inspire our members to share the Gospel. 

I'm super excited to serve with Sister Thumbstedter. Our goal for this transfer is finding! I have faith we can find prepared people. 

If you pray for and then seek for missionary opportunities I know you'll receive them!

"We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!" -Elder Bednar.

Thank you for all the support and encouragement! 

With love, 

Sister Richards :)

Sister Clonts was kind enough to help us make these last pday!

This is Auralin who came out with us on my birthday.

Sister Call and I with Katy and Mel. Their son just came home from his mission. We're praying Mel gets baptized SOON :)

Going to miss her soooo much!

One of the best Birthday's ever!

Sister Pazmino and I at the trainer's meeting. She's having some awesome success in the YSA!

My mission "family" (daughters and granddaughter haha) - Sister Lyons, Sister Thumbstedter, Hermana Pazmino and Hermana Kamalu