A Semi Normal Week...

Honestly this week was pretty worthless unfortunately. Other than Christmas of course! It was so nice to see you guys! I wish we could have talked longer but rules are rules. haha. Anyway I did get both packages so thank you to kyle, Lori, and Barbara. Also thanks to everyone that sent Christmas cards my way. They are much appreciated. 

So I think we only taught 2 lessons this week and they were to less actives. Samantha (the chicken lady) canceled our appointment and now won't answer her phone. :/ Abby was out of town until saturday so we are going to see her at least once this week. Here is a funny story for you guys. About 2 weeks ago at the end of a lesson at Abby's house she told us how she was making an old western dress for a cowboy ball the Saturday after Christmas. She was so excited because she had finally found a date. Yesterday at church we were talking to our Ward Mission Leader in first ward (Abby is in 2nd ward) and he was telling us about the cowboy ball he went to the night before. We were about to ask him if he saw Abby there when he told us his dates name. It was Abby. Haha. After the little dance I guess she knew he was Mormon but he had no idea she was investigating. They ended up talking about the church a little bit on their way home. Elder McKee and I thought that was pretty funny. 

Anyway, Wednesday we tried to see some some people but everyone was busy or out of town. Thursday we saw a couple less actives the P. family and Brother B.. Brother B. is an older blind man. I love going over there because he has some really cool stories. Friday was spent driving the zone leaders all over Kalispell since he missionaries in Big Fork were using their truck because theirs is getting fixed. So we were with them all Friday which was fun but we didn't get anything done. Then we tracted all day Saturday basically with no luck! :( But that night we went to a "Late Christmas Party" at Brother F's house. I found out he is a big bow hunter so needless to say we get along really well. He took me to his hunting room and showed me his bow and everything. He shoots a Bowtech 82nd Airborne. They are pretty nice bows and he owns 2 of them. 

Yesterday was a pretty typical Sunday although we found out we have the opportunity to talk in 1st wards sacrament meeting on the 20th of January which I'm kind of nervous about. 

It sounds like Dad had a good time hunting this week but I'll write him so you don't have to hear all of that. I think that's it for this week. I hope you feel better Mom!!!! And I'm sorry about aunt Suzy, but that is why our religion is so great!

We have the knowledge that we will be able to see her again and nobody else has that.

-Love,

Elder Richardson

JAKE'S LETTER TO SCOTT ON HUNTING:

That sounds awesome. That 4x4 sound like a nice buck. do you think those guys that drove down there even knew he was there? Im glad your seeing deer and Bucks. Sounds like you have been able to make a few stalks which is awesome. Keep with it you will get in range one of these times. Think of how many stalks I made until I shot my deer. So do you think you are going to hunt in January? If you do would you shoot that 3x2 you keep seeing and end your year? He sounds like a cool buck and you have some history with him. Good luck and keep practicing. Elder Hemenway who is the big hunter from Orem is Serving in an area call Thompson Falls. He has a video of him feeding a 8 point whitetail (120") an apple in their Backyard ill try and see if I can send it to you. I love hearing about your hunting experiences so keep them coming. lol

-Love you,

Elder Richardson

P.S. Help mom feel better - haha

PICTURES BELOW WERE SENT BY SISTER MECHAM AND WERE TAKEN AT HIS ZONE CONFERENCE ON DEC. 13th-

FUN WITH SKYPE...

11:00 AM couldn't get here fast enough! 

I tossed and turned all night hoping that the connection would be good, that seeing us wouldn't be to hard on him, and that we would get answers to our many questions. Then before I knew it...the time had arrived and we could see Elder Richardson (wearing one of his Christmas gifts a shirt we got him from the Mulley Crazy store in Kanab, Utah). What a wonderful invention Skype is - I am forever grateful to the inventor of this marvelous technology.

My boy was right before my eyes and we enjoyed a great conversation with him. His packages had arrived, many Christmas cards from friends, and he was spending a wonderful Christmas with several different families in the wards he serves in and also with the Shaw's (a senior missionary couple serving in Columbia Falls from Canada that lives and owns a home down the street from where Jake lives.)

He looked great, and sounded even better. We could actually hear the growth in his voice and feeling in what he said...but the Jake we all know and love is still there too!

We had Tanner Sharp, Jake's friend, come over during our conversation with him and they got to spend a little while visiting.

All in all - it was the BEST Christmas present I ever received!

Short but Sweet...

My e-mail is going to be fairly short today since we can skype tomorrow and I want to e-mail some other people! So first off we are going over to the Shaw's to skype at 11 am tomorrow. I have no idea what their skype account is but I'm sure we can get it to work. I'm really excited to see you guys. I already wrote to dad about hunting which is hard to do wishing I could be there with him! Sounds like I need new camo when I get home haha! I'll tell you all about everything tomorrow during skype. And also, the only gift I have gotten is the belts and the gift cards no boxes, but that's ok! I didnt get Jessica's thing yet either. I hope you guys enjoy your gifts. If you cant read the tags just open them and you can tell what is for who.

I love you guys and Merry Christmas,

Elder Richardson

* Jake ended up getting his packages later that day when he got back from town so he had our packages, some stuff family sent him, and a box from a friend to open up on Christmas day!

A Little Surprise from Jake!

Today we got  a surprise in the mail from Jake...Christmas presents...totally unexpected. 

We especially LOVED the personal touches of electrical tape and tin foil gift tags!

* We were so touched at how thoughtful Jake was with his gifts. He sent each of us something that we really love!

A little Christmas Cheer Headed Your Way!

It was fun putting your gifts together for your Christmas Box. We hope it arrives on time since we are behind a little here! We love you and hope your enjoying this Christmas season and all the joy it brings to us. There are a lot of people out there searching for more in their lives...especially at this time of the year. Seek them out and share what you know...be real and sincere with them and they will see what we see in you, and will be open to your message! 

Dad, Mom, & Jess

Stitched With Love...

Dear son,

I have been working on this quilt to send to you in your Christmas box. As I have been working on it...memories of you have been flooding my mind and touching my heart. I wish you could be here for all of our traditions and festive fun...but I know you are where you are suppose to be and that you will participate in new traditions and spend it with new friends and families that you will come to love in Columbia Falls.

After shedding many tears & missing you...I have decided that my gift this year to give is - YOU! I know that you will touch many peoples hearts and lives with your great personality, love of family, sweet testimony of the gospel, and the knowledge that families can be together forever.

You know that I dread/panic at the thought of getting near a sewing machine...but this was something I WANTED to do for you. Yes - I faced that fear head on (only after I procrastinated as long as I could) and began the process. 

So as you cover yourself with this quilt...I want you to think on a few things;

• First is - The squares on the quilt are made from different material that come together to form a pattern...which represents the pattern of our lives...which are your talents, the love you have for others, family & friends, your character.
• Second is - The batting is for the warmth we need to protect us from the elements of the world...our scripture study, prayer, being honest with your fellow men, your personal righteousness.
• Third is - The thread used to sew the pieces together and bind all the layers together...these are the values that you have been raised with, have learned from others, and have experienced in your life...service, faith, your divine nature, and the integrity you have. 
• Fourth is - The love of labor that went into making the quilt for you. I hope it will keep you warm on those chilly and cold Montana days, and that it will also give you comfort as you curl up under it on those more difficult, hard, and lonely days. Read the messages often that family and friends wrote to you and heed their messages, advice, and love.  

Be a valiant servant my son and know just how much you are loved,

mom

ZONE CONFERENCE UPDATE...

Hey guys,

So this week has gone by pretty fast but the work has kind of slowed down due to the holiday and people being sick lately. Also, having Zone Conference in Helena takes away a couple of days. So about Zone Conference. I guess this one was a little different than the regular ones since it is a "Christmas Zone Conference". Usually they do a bunch of teaching experiences and role plays, but we didn’t do any of that. Thank goodness! It was more of a Christmas program with special musical numbers. It started with President Mecham talking for about 30-45 minutes on 2013 goals and all that good stuff. Then we sang some songs all together. Then we had lunch and played some games. One of the games we played was a white elephant tie trade thing. I ended up with an OK tie but I didn’t know we were trading ties so I lost a good one! :( After lunch and games we had special musical numbers by other missionaries which was cool. Then President Mecham asked the APs and some other missionaries that had been out awhile to bear their testimonies and that was it.

 As for this week we only taught 2 real lessons. One was to an Investigator named Abby who is progressing great. I was in charge of the lesson and Elder McKee said he would save me if it went downhill. HA-HA Luckily it didn’t it was on The Gospel of Jesus Christ and it went great!! We also taught an awesome less active guy named Jimmy M. He is a huge hunter and has all sorts of sheds and has a couple huge deer mounts! And he gave us some pepper sticks! YUM! Anyway I think one of our main focuses is going to be to reactivate him.

Anyway so Dad wanted an awesome story and I have one! It was actually from my first week out I just forgot to put it in the last letter. We went to visit Sister T, an active member who is older and has a hip problem so she can't make it to church anymore. I don’t even remember what we were talking to her about but the subject got on Angels and how they walk with us and help us in times of trials. We were sitting on a couch across from 2 big chairs, she sat in the left one. As she was talking to us about story’s when she has seen angels play a role in her life, I couldn’t help but feel that there was somebody in the room with us. We later found out that her Husband had passed away a couple years ago and that other Chair was where he always sat. It was such a cool experience and after we left I talked to Elder McKee about it and he said he felt the same thing!

So to answer your questions:

Can you Skype on Christmas? Yes I can!!! We found out at zone conference the rule changed so I will be over at the Shaws when I Skype. I don’t know what their Skype name is or when we will be over there, but I'll let you know next Monday!

Do you have a family that has invited you over for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas? Yes 2 families have invited us over on Christmas and we are having a Christmas Eve party with the Kalispell Zone at the Shaw's house!!!

Do you live in a members home in the basement? We live in the Basement of the Schaffers 3 story cabin. But they live down the street in a smaller house and nobody is living in the cabin but us.

Are you driving yet or do you have to wait awhile? I have to wait and I don’t know how long. But that’s allright with me because I can look for deer while he drives! ha ha

How much money a month do you get for food? you get $135 per month for shopping.

Has your ward had a Christmas party yet? We cover 2 wards and both of them had their Christmas parties this week. One was Friday and the other was Saturday. They were great. Lots of free food and lots of non-members/less actives!

Do you like the ward you serve in...are the people nice? The Wards are great! The members out here would do anything for the missionaries and each other! I think it is because it is a small town but I don’t know.

How's the work going? It's going ha ha! We just have a couple of serious investigators, and we just found out like an hour ago that we have a recent convert and her son being evicted so we are going to try and help them out however we can!

Did the belts arrive from Pomeroys? Yes they did thanks so much!! That one belt that has like a ratchet system is awesome!!!!!!

What can we send your companion for Christmas? gift cards would be awesome we have a subway, burger king, and pizza hut – but send me one to :) ha ha!

Where should dad be hunting? Tell dad to go back by the Biosphere and glass the hill below the top of water tanks and to the left of the Haystacks. That is where I saw 3 coues bucks last time I was out there. He should know what I’m talking about!!

That's it for now! I sent off a Christmas package your way today so I hope it makes it there. Also- congrats on finishing finals Jessica!! I hope you can enjoy your break from school. Sounds like Mom is having fun with her calling in YW which is great! And its awesome that you got to get out and do some hunting Dad!! That's cool that muzzy's are flying well for you, now just stick one in a buck!

P.S. - You know you aren’t going to shoot a deer because you don’t have my eagle eyes 

there to find them for you!! ha ha Just kidding you'll get one - keep trying and practicing!

P.S.S - I've attached pictures for you. Some are clear back from the MTC. Sorry this is the first chance I've had to send them! We even have a Christmas Tree and stockings hanging from the rafters!!!! 

Love you all,

Elder Richardson

Hi from the Kalispell Zone...

Ok so my companion is not in any of those pictures.(The pictures he is referring to are pictures that were e-mailed to us from the Mission Presidents wife and are in the last post) Those are the APs and just some elders that serve in the Billings area. My companion is Elder McKee. He is a dairy farmer from Vernal Utah!! You would get a kick out of him Dad. He is awesome. We get a long really well! He has never trained before but it doesn't show he is awesome. He likes country music, hunting, and fishing.


 Anyway, we are staying in a Log cabin!! (Not such a great view of Jake's cabin...but the best I could do on Google Earth) But we only get the basement and it looks like something out of the 70's haha but its great. We have deer in our yard or in the little field next to us at least once a day. No bucks yet though and they are all Whitetails!?! I found out we are NOT allowed to fish. :( not really sure why but it sucks because there are rivers and creeks everywhere. 

What else... It's snowed 6-8" the last couple of days and has been mainly under 20 degrees so the roads are prettly slick. We drive a red Chevy colorado which is a lot better than the stupid malibus!

So a little about Columbia Falls. It has like 5000 people. At least half of them are drunk or smoking something but nice, and the other half (Sober) are some of the nicest people I have met. The members out here will do anything for the missionaries. Even the non-members have been really nice to us just not interested in the church. :(

 There was a Christmas Parade on Friday so we went contacting during that and handed out some Joy To The World dvds. We have a couple of investigators who are progressing. One is Abby. She is really interested in the church but doesnt know what here parents will think and doesn't know if she is ready. But she is praying about being baptized on like January 5th I believe! I've already met some crazy people while tracting. One lady Samantha was telling us how she used to be in witchcraft and stuff, and how when she killed one of her chickens last week for dinner, evil spirits came out of it and attacked her. lol. 

We went and talked to this 80 year old german lady who loves the missionaries but isn't interested in the church. But anyway, when you walk into her house the first thing you see in the living room is a massive big horn sheep! The thing scores 183 3/8!! Its Huge. She shot it a few years back and is thinking about selling the mount to the Cabelas they are planning on building in Kalispell. That's basically it so far other than it's beautiful up here!

I did get your package and the heated blanket is so nice! Thanks! Also for your Christmas package can you just send me a new belt haha. One broke already and the other one is about to! And some chocolate oranges of course! And maybe Taylor swifts new CD "RED" haha.

So our P-Day is today and we have zone conference in Missoula this Thursday so the Elders from Thompson Falls came down last night to stay with us until Thursday. One of them is Elder Hemenway who is from Orem Utah and guides deer and elk hunts around Strawberry and Beaver!! And he bow hunts and fly fishes!!! Needless to say we have already planned a hunting trip whether its for deer/elk or just to shoot some coyotes together. 

That's all for now. Tell Kasey that's super exciting that she got her call (Kasey is a gal Jake's age and we were in the same ward with her family for about 12 years and they went to high school together - she got her call to Russia and opened it this weekend) but tell her to have fun in the MTC for 3 months! lol. Also tell Jessica good luck on her finals and that I'm praying for her! Also make sure dad doesn't go try to shoot a deer this year if he is hitting the fence at 10 yards! HAHAHA

Love you guys!

Elder Richardson

p.s. I'll try to upload some pictures next week!

Letter from Mission Home in Billings...

We received a letter today from Jake. He wrote it the night he stayed in the Mission Home in Billings. It was great to get some mail from him and know he arrived safe. His letter was short and to the point after flying on a plane (hasn't done that since he was 3 years old - was a little nervous!) training, dinner, and getting his assignment. He had had a full day and I'm sure was ready to go to sleep.

HIS FIRST AREA...

COMMUNITY PROFILE

ELEVATION:

3,087 feet

DISTANCE IN MILES TO:

• Kalispell - 15 miles
• Glacier National Park - 17 miles
• Great Falls - 215 miles
• Spokane, Washington - 276 miles
• Calgary, Canada - 295 miles

POPULATION:

• Columbia Falls City - 4, 688
• Flathead City - 90,928

*2010 Census Information


CLIMATE:

July Average - H 80.7/L 49.9 
January Average - H 28.0/L 13.5
Average Precipitation - 

• Rain - 15.7 inches
• Snow - 66.3 inches

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:

• 18 different churches
•  8 public parks
•  2 banks
•  2 credit unions
•  1 local paper
•  1 community pool
•  2 elementary schools
•  1 middle school (6th, 7th, & 8th)
•  1 high school (9th - 12th)
•  6 doctors
•  1 optometrist
•  6 dentists
•  8 police
• 30 volunteer fire fighters 

HIS COMPANION/TRAINER:

Elder McKee

HIS ADDRESS:

Elder Richardson

PO Box 618

Columbia Falls, Montana

59912

We are looking forward to his email this coming Monday and hearing how he's doing and liking the area. He doesn't know we know where he's at...had a heads up from the Mission Home in Billings.

ARRIVED AT THE BILLINGS MISSION HOME...

We received an email with pictures attached from Sister Mecham:

Brother & Sister Richardson:

We had a great couple days with Elder Richardson as he arrived in the mission on Tuesday. After gathering the group from the airport we took them to the Billings Temple for photos. Lunch was held at the mission home followed by an afternoon filled with orientation from the mission president, myself, financial secretary, assistants, online administrators, and our office couple. We had a western dinner followed by their first proselyting experience with some Elders in the Billings area. The evening concluded with a testimony meeting and then each elder opened their area assignment from the president. The next morning was breakfast and then travel to their assigned areas. We love all of them and thankful they are here to serve. 

Elder Richardson will be serving in the Kalispell Zone.   His trainer/companion is Elder McKee.

Elder Richardson's direct address is
2195 Witty Lane

P.O. Box 618
Columbia Falls, MT  59912

Attached is the mission directory as well as some photos of the missionary's arrival in Billings.

We hope that you can help us with some things that might distract the missionaries. The missionaries should only be emailing home once a week. We are an online proselyting mission, however new missionaries are not to be using the internet other than for email during their first 12 weeks. Special training and permission are granted to missionaries to be online proselyters who have proven that they can obey the mission schedule with exactness. Missionaries should not be receiving phone calls from home except on Mother's Day and Christmas and in special circumstances approved by the president. Be careful about sending excessive extra funds for the missionary. Packages and letters should include uplifting, not distracting items. Any kind of games and cards are not allowed in the mission. Excessive things turn into extra luggage during transfers.

Your help on this would be most appreciated.

We appreciate your faith and support through written letters. We watch the missionaries here anxiously await those. A letter in hand can be read over and over. Any letters or packages that are addressed to the mission office can be forwarded to the missionary free if they are sent U.S. postal service: first class, priority, overnight, etc. Items sent by UPS or FedEx cannot be forwarded and would have to wait for hand delivery when trainings are scheduled.

Thank you for your love, support and faith in sending us such wonderful missionaries.

Sister Mecham

Montana Billings Mission
1848 Rimrock Rd
Billings, MT 59102

 President & Sister Mecham.

 Newest Members of the Montana Billings Mission.

 Jake receiving his first area assignment.

Dinner in the mission home.

MEMORIES CAN PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE...

We received a call earlier this morning from Jake when he was waiting for his flight at the Salt Lake City Utah airport. We were so happy to hear his voice and speak to him and ask him questions. He was super excited and a little nervous to head to Montana. He is excited about this next phase. He sounded great other than slightly being sick still (since Thanksgiving). He asked for very little...but a journal was at the top of the list because he's been writing in it every night he said. We bought him a small one because we thought for sure that that would not be on the top of the list for him to do...guess that will be added to his Christmas box.

After his call...Scott took off for work. I did some cleaning and then jumped in the shower and that breakdown everyone has been telling me would come...well it did, and it hit full force and I couldn't stop it. I really did hold back since we had dropped him off at the MTC...but after hearing his voice and experiencing his growth first hand...I couldn't stop crying - I miss my boy. 

Now don't get me wrong...I KNOW he is where he's suppose to be...but I still miss him. So I sobbed in the shower, HOPEFULLY got it all out, and went on with my day. Then an idea came to mind...a MEMORY TREE. Yep - I pulled out an old Christmas tree we had in the garage and set it up in our bedroom. The first thing I put on it was pictures of the kids and then some ornaments...immediately I felt better and I have enjoyed my tree all day and will continue to for weeks to come!