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!!!!