A SWEET SURPRISE...

We got a sweet treat today...another email from Jake:

So I told you I could call you from the airport and just wanted to give you a better time frame. I sent a letter to you today but it probably won't get there in time so I got permission to email you. It will be around 8:30-9:30am - my flight leaves at 9:50 or so. Also I was just wondering if you sent that package you talked about because it hasn't gotten here and I don't want it to get here after I leave and be lost for ever!

Love,

Elder Richardson

*We can't wait to talk with him!!!

SECOND WEEK DOWN...

Hey Guys,

The Second week has gone great but I have had my fair share of trials. I think I have learned more and grown more in these 2 weeks than I have my whole life. My teachers are amazing and they help us really realize why we are here and how we need to teach people - not just lessons. Unfortunately we lost another member of our District, Elder Kilmon, due to a surgery reopening for a third time. He isn't sure if they will let him come back out or not. I have seen both Jake (Jake Moeller went into the MTC on the same day as Jake and is in our ward) and Zach! (Zach Carter is a friend and he grew up with him until he was 12 and we moved from the Butterfield Ward) Jake does have an extra week in the MTC- I dont know why. As for Zach he left this morning. I actually haven't seen Scott (his cousin who we also dropped off at the MTC with Jake and he is going to Brazil when his visa comes thru)
at all since we came in together.

My Thanksgiving was great. We did get to hear from Elder Holland that morning which was amazing. I learned so much from his talk. It is one thing to see an apostle of the Lord on T.V. but to listen and feel the emotion in his voice in person is unreal! After that we had our Thanksgiving lunch which was ok but nothing compared to home (I missed the Buffet). After lunch we had a humanitarium project which was putting together school/medical kits for people in Mali I believe. Then we had a sack lunch for dinner which was less than filling but afterward we got to watch a movie! The title was 17 miracles I believe.

The situation with my companion has not improved any and has honestly probably gotten worse. He even fell asleep for 3/4 of Elder Hollands devotional on Thanksgiving. It went from him just not be able to focus in class to him straight up telling me that he doesn't care. During companion inventories I try to figure out what I can do to help him but he won't tell me or the District leader (Elder Thompson). By the way dad Elder Thompson's brother in law owns a bunch of land in Colorado and runs his own Lodge/Guiding service! He said he would get us a great discount once I get back! haha

Anyway I'm gonna run out of time so sorry if I missed any of your questions. If mom puts this on the blog I'm sorry to those I didn't write back to but I only get 30 minutes and half if not more of that is spent reading. Also -  I found out I can call you from the Salt Lake Airport when I leave December 4th!!! So I'm gonna buy a phone card and give you a call amywhere from 7-9 lol but I will send you a letter this week witht the actual time

Love,

Elder Richardson

JAKE SENT A SECOND EMAIL A FEW MINUTES AFTER WE GOT THE ONE ABOVE...SEE BELOW.

Sorry I forgot to tell you that we have been to the Temple twice now and it is really neat to fill an endowment room with almost all missionaries! Also the District that welcomed us and helped make the MTC feel like home left this morning! It was so quiet and lonely this morning (haha) but we get 20 new elders this Wednesday in our zone I believe which should be interesting. I can't wait for this last week to go by so I can be in Montana and see people in something other than suits. (haha) Jessica said her friend went there for Thanksgiving and had deer in their front yard.
I Cant Wait!!!!

A HANDWRITTEN NOTE...

This is a hand written note we received in the mail from Jake today...


Dear Mom & Dad,
Sorry I didn't write the first 2 days - I've been really busy and our teacher was strict about not writing letters during study time. Anyway I have seen Jake & Zach multiple times. They are doing good and Zach is District Leader so he is really busy. My companion and I have our own room which is nice because it's quiet, but it also sucks because it's lonely. The food is really good but the eggs are nasty. But they do have all you can drink chocolate milk! I have been writitng in my journal every night & that is somewhat of a stress reliever. Brother Gines is one of the counselors in the Branch Presidency and he has been really helpful. He stopped by our room the other night to check up on us. Somehow we got talking about hunting and I found out he shot a bull that scored like 355 this year. I have learned so much already but I'm still figuring out how to teach with the spirit instead of just giving them information. I started feeling sick yesterday :-( I have a dry throat and nose, and a headache. But it isn't to bad. I'm glad to hear the car got fixed and you made it home safely. I met a missionary that is headed to Tucson next week and told him to look out for you.

-Love
Elder Richardson

p.s. Please send me a new picture of our family! And my dog!

JAKE'S FIRST P-DAY LETTER...

Hey Guys,

Just to let you know my P-Day is Tuesday. The MTC is honestly really hard for me and I cant wait to get out in the field. Sitting in a classroom for 10 hours a day is not fun for me. But my teachers are very helpful and king. This first week has been really hard. I have never been away from you guys with the thought of not seeing you for 2 years and that is so hard for me. I dont think a day has gone by where I havent thought about coming home. But that is selfish and I know I'm where I need to be no matter how difficult it is.

The first week was interesting and started out really slow but the days keep going by faster and I hope it stays that way because I cant wait to see you guys again. My Companions name is Elder Marshall and we have nothing in common. I think this is one of the reasons this first week has been hard. He has Terrets (I probably spelt that wrong) and cant stay focused in class and it shows in our lessons because I do all of the talking and when he trys to say things during lessons he doesnt know if he is right and he asks me. I'm trying to get him to stay focused in class and help plan for lessons but he just doesn't want to and it is killing me.


 My district is awesome and our District leader Elder Thompson really cares about all of us and is trying to help me with Elder Marshall. We have already had someone go home and thats hard because it puts that thought into my head. I get along with 4 members of our district Elder Peterson, Elder Dudely, Elder Andrews, and Elder Thompson. I think getting to know them and talking with them is what makes the days go by faster. Im trying to lose my self in the work so I can be a better teacher and stop thinking about home but I'm coming to realize how selfish I really am and its hard to remember that it isnt about me.

Now for the good. The food is actually really good and it is all you can eat which is good and bad. My companion and I have our own room instead of having to share with another companionship. Again my teachers Brother Elton and Brother B. (I dont know how to spell his last name - haha) are really helpful and making me a better missionary. My Zone leaders are awesome and they are on the same floor as us so If I have any questions I can just ask them.

I know that I am where im supposed to be and the people of Billings Montana need me.

Love ya,

Elder Richardson

p.s. Send me more mail it helps me!!!

IF YOU HAVE TIME TO WRITE JAKE A QUICK AND ENCOURAGING LETTER...I KNOW HE WOULD JUST LOVE IT AND IT WOULD REALLY HELP HIM RIGHT NOW! 

JUST CLICK THE ABOVE TAB "WRITE ELDER RICHARDSON" FOR HIS ADDRESS.

THANKS,

KENDRA

IT WAS TIME...

Then it was time!

The drive from the temple and wait in the parking lot of the MTC only took about 7 minutes before we parked in our assigned spot and got the boys out and unloaded them.

 In those 7 minutes I pondered everything from;

Will he be okay, does he have enough warm clothes, will this be hard for him, will he enjoy the MTC, how will I work all my electronics at home without him, I will miss his laugh, I will miss him and Scott wrestling every night and goofing off, did I teach him to cook enough meals, will he remember how to do his laundry, will he remember to separate his whites from his darks or will he just be lazy and do them both together, will he be patient with his companions, will he clean his apartment, will he write in his journal, will he take pictures to send home, will he write letters longer than "I'm alive - don't worry"., did I forget to pack anything that he'll need, will his mission president love him as we do, does he have cash in his wallet, will he remember how to sew a button, will he remember to pray every night, will he willingly share his testimony with those he comes in contact with since he holds back at times because he is a tender heart, will the  members in Montana feed him well, will they welcome him into their homes during the holidays so that it's not so hard on him being away from us and our traditions, how I wish I could be a fly on the wall in the MTC, is he scared or nervous, don't cry because you'll make it harder on him, he was just a little boy scraping his knees and needing a band aid, did I do everything I could as a mom to prepare him for this day, I can't believe this day is here already - it came so fast, does he know we are proud of him, does he know we will miss him, Oh...how I love this young man and his willingness to serve, he is so unselfish, will he remember to polish his shoes and rotate his clothes, I'm glad he got to teach in primary and experience that, will he write thank you notes I'm so grateful for those teachers and leaders, and programs that he had in his life to help prepare him in ways I couldn't, will he remember our FHE lessons over the years, will he have a hard time getting up so early, will family and friends write to him, will he take advantage of this opportunity to grow his testimony in new ways and areas, will he remember to iron his clothes, do I leave his room exactly the same or clean it, what should I do with all his hunting and fishing stuff, does he know that he is planting seeds and that it's okay if he doesn't baptize anyone, will he like Montana, will he survive the winters there, will he write home every Monday, does he know we will be living for those letters, it seems like he just got baptized, just turned twelve, attended church dances, went on his first date, got his drivers license, got his first job, will he stay focused, will he set an example, will he be polite, I will miss his sense of humor, will these two years fly by, how bad am I going to cry on the way home, will he remember to pray with purpose, will he get the chance to go to the temple, I need to make sure to send a care package off as soon as I get home, what will happen on Thanksgiving in the MTC, will he remember to turn in his shot record, will he find our letters we wrote to him, will he re-read his patriarchal blessing often, will the dog live until he gets back...OH NO...it's time to get out of the car and give him one last hug.. don't embarrass him in front of all these Elders!

One last hug and an "I love you" - and he didn't look back...as the little boy I used to rock to sleep in my arms walked away from me and into the service of his Heavenly Father and a new adventure for the next two years!

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe my son.

SAYING GOODBYE...

So we were told by so many friends and family to take pictures and to say our goodbye's to Jake at the Provo Temple because there just isn't time when you drop them off at the MTC. Things have changed and you basically drop them off at the curb. We were glad to have cousin Scott with us and to be able to take pictures for his family. I actually think having him there helped Jake to be less nervous and it helped me keep my emotions in check a little more. We gave some words of wisdom to them both and then we drove across the street to drop them off.

Brothers say goodbye...

So Jake has a cousin, Scott McIntosh, who was supposed to report to the Brazil MTC on the same day as he was to enter the Provo Utah MTC...but his visa hadn't come thru as of the 9th, and they received a call and told Scott would enter the Provo MTC instead until his visa came thru. He flew out on Monday the 12th and we had a family get together that night for him at Uncle Larry & Aunt Gwen's house. 

On Wednesday we picked up Scott, who was staying in Provo with his older brother Dan. It tugged at our heartstrings to see brothers say goodbye for two years!

Home of the Train Burger...

When we are in Utah...Jake's favorite place to eat is DAIRY KEEN in Heber, Utah. 

So of course he asked if we could stop there on our way to the MTC for lunch. 

This just happened to be his 5th time eating there on this trip alone! Scott & Jake enjoyed lunch there on all their fishing days...along with some one on one time for some father and son conversations.

One last goodbye...

After we left South Jordan...we swung around to Heber so Jake could say goodbye to Grandpa & Grandma Richardson. While Jake is the oldest grandchild on the McCluskey side and the first to serve a mission...he is the 4th to serve on the Richardson side and we will actually have (3) elders out at the same time for a few months.

Sophia says goodbye...

On Tuesday night, November 13th...we were able to get together for Jake to share his testimony with family (forgot to take pictures) and receive a Father's Blessing from Scott.

 It was a beautiful evening with him.

 Then the next morning Jake was getting ready for us to leave South Jordan...when cousin Sophia wanted to say goodbye and take pictures with Jake.

Jordan River Temple Day...

Jake with Papa & Grandee McCluskey

 Jake with mom & dad

 Pam, Jake, & Ken Moeller

Jake Richardson & Jake Moeller - met 8 years ago when we moved into the Countryside Ward, became friends, received their Eagle Scout awards on the same night, and will now enter the MTC on the same day - Wednesday November 14th. 

Baby Blessings...

While in Utah...we were able to gather with some of the family today and enjoy (2) baby blessings on the McCluskey side and enjoy a wonderful family dinner. It was great to catch up and visit & also let Jake have some time to say goodbye before he enters the MTC on Wednesday.

A WHITE WELCOME TO SOUTH JORDAN...

We left Heber for South Jordan just as the storm they were predicting began. We made it down the Provo Canyon before the snow started to fall...but by the time we arrived in South Jordan...this was our white welcome. 

We checked the weather station because we've been keeping an eye on the Montana weather so we have an idea of what Jake will be experiencing once he gets there. Their high for the day was 28 and the low was 2.

 This Arizona boy is in for a real adjustment when he arrives on December 4th!

RICHARDSON FAMILY TIME...

 Scott, Jake, and Grandpa Richardson

The Wonderful Richardson Family

We spent a few days in Heber City Utah with Scott's side of the family. While we were there we were able to meet all together at Jake's favorite place to eat in Heber- Dairy Keen - home of the Train Burger - Jake's favorite so that family could say their goodbye's.

 After dinner we were able to support Scott while he was ordained by his father, Ralph, to a High Priest. What a beautiful time to be together as family - THANKS to everyone who was able to come!

A P-DAY ACTIVITY WITH DAD...

While in Utah Jake and Scott were able to spend some time together and went fly fishing and glassing for deer. They had a great time and were able to spend some time with each other.

LEAVING TUCSON...

It was a bitter sweet and very early morning as Jake said goodbye to Zoey and Jessica as we headed out to Utah.

BEING SET APART AS A MISSIONARY FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS...

What a beautiful evening being able to be with Jake while he was set apart by President Polly of the Tucson North Stake. Jake shared his testimony with us before he was set apart and I KNOW he is ready to be a missionary with all my heart. He is so excited to serve the people in Montana and he will be an excellent missionary!

 I am so proud of this young man and grateful for his willingness to serve a mission...and his unselfishness to put his plans on hold for two years.  

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