NEW AREA & NEW COMPANION...

Jake's weekly letters are towards the bottom of this post!

HARLOWTON, MONTANA

Harlowton is almost in the middle of Montana. It is East of Helena and North of Billings.

CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE

(They actually have added 44 in the last year for a total of 975)

Population in 2012: 975 (0% urban, 100% rural). Population change since 2000: -8.2%
 

Males: 473	(48.5%)
Females: 502	(51.5%)

Median resident age:	49.8 years
Montana median age:	44.1 years

Zip codes: 59036.

Estimated median household income in 2011: $23,637 (it was $23,636 in 2000)

Harlowton:	$23,637
Montana:	$44,222

Estimated per capita income in 2011: $19,373

Harlowton city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2011: $72,965 (it was $50,900 in 2000)

Harlowton:	$72,965
Montana:	$184,100

Mean prices in 2011: All housing units: $75,683; Detached houses: $81,291; Mobile homes: $36,888

Median gross rent in 2011: $558.

Notable locations in Harlowton: Chief Joseph Park Campground (A), Harlowton Rest Area (B), General Mills Incorporated Elevator (C), Upper Musselshell Historical Society Museum (D), Harlowton Public Library (E), Wheatland County Sheriff's Office (F), Harlowton Police Department (G), Wheatland County Courthouse (H), Harlowton Volunteer Fire Department - Wheatland County Volunteer Fire Department (I), Wheatland County Ambulance Harlowton (J). 

Churches in Harlowton include: Faith Chapel (A), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (B), American Lutheran Church (C), Harlowton Baptist Chapel (D), Federated Church (E), Saint Josephs Catholic Church (F), Trinity Lutheran Church (G), Wesleyan Church (H), Trinity Episcopal Church (I). 

Parks in Harlowton include: Chief Joseph Park (1), E57B - the Last Electric Locomotive Historical Marker (2). 

Hotels: Country Side Inn (309 3 Northeast), Western Union - To Pick Up OR Send Money Transfers- Corral Motel (US191 & Us 12).

Courts: Wheatland County - Clerk of Court (Courthouse), Wheatland County - Justice Court (Courthouse). 

Restuarants: Cafe Chinook, Grave's Hotel, Misner's Pizza Express, Snowy Mountain Coffee, Sportsmans Bar & Steakhouse, Stage Stop, & Wade's Drive INN & Cafe

WHAT WILL JAKE MISS MOST WHILE SERVING IN HARLOWTON: 

McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Sonic, & just about every other fast food place! 

Guess he'll have to pull out those recipe cards mom sent him and start cooking :)



THIS WEEKS LETTERS FROM JAKE!!!

Hi Mom,

Sounds like you have had a pretty busy week! Our last week was pretty busy as well but before I get to that I will let you know about transfers. I am being transferred to a place called Harlowton, MT and my comp will be Elder Richins. Harlowton has less people than my High school had in it! Elder Richins has only like 2 transfers left so I hope he is a motivated missionary. I will be the senior companion. 

 I am going to miss Cody a ton! I think I was ready to go, I just wish I was going somewhere else haha. Whatever -  It isn't about what I want haha. I just hope there is some missionary work going on there. Oh yah, we are also being doubled in (both missionaries are new to the area) which should be interesting. I don't like change, but I get this way right before I go to a new area. Can't believe I've been out for almost a year and this will only be my third area!

This last week was pretty busy with us teaching 14 lessons! Including less-actives! We taught M. this Tuesday and went over the commandments and the Baptism interview questions. It went really well and she seems excited about being baptized which is great. I just wish I could be here for it! We had a lesson with A. on Wednesday. We just helped him start his reading in the Book of Mormon. About half way through us reading his Dad who was in the kitchen doing dishes stopped doing dishes randomly and I am pretty sure he was listening to our lesson!!! The rest of the week was spent trying to contact some referrals. On Friday we went to the Football game with the Oilar's who's son is on the football team. When we got to there house one of there sons was rolling up on a quad and had a couple dead rabbits on the back! Lol They skinned them right there while we waited to head to the football game. It was hilarious to watch Elder Woods face while he watched them skin the rabbits. 

This weekend was stake conference! Elder Reall from the 6th quorum of the seventy was here! Man he is such an awesome guy and a very powerful speaker. It was an amazing stake conference! Pretty crazy that my first and last Sundays in Cody were stake conference! Haha I also met dad's cousin and her husband. They happen to be related to Bishop Rudolph who i will also miss! I'm glad I got a chance to meet them before I left the Cody area.

Well I hope you have a great week! Mine should be interesting haha! 

I love you!

-Elder Richardson

P.S. I got your package! Thanks so much! The Vans will be just fine! I also got a package from Grandee and Papa! They sent me tons of sunflower seeds:)

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Hey Dad!

Well my luck wasn't much better than yours it sounds like! I am being transferred to Harlowton, MT and I will be with Elder Richins. I would be lying if I said I was excited or happy because I am far from it unfortunately. That is alright. Like you said "The mission president and the Lord know where I should be". Even if I don't agree haha. Well I have seriously loved it here in Cody. You and I will definitely be making some hunting trips up this way in the future!

 I am going to miss so many people here! We went to say goodbye to Bro. Taggart on Thursday since there was a good chance I was leaving and he left Friday and is gone all the week to film a hunt. So we said our goodbyes and then he gave me a gift!!! He gave me a Huskemaw wind meter! It is called the swiss 2 or something. It tells you the temperature the wind speed and other stuff I haven't really figured out though! It was so nice of him! I will miss him a ton. He was a great ward mission leader especially for how much he is gone. I will probably send the wind meter home in a package though when I pack for the transfer! 

Work here has been going good and we basically set up 2 baptisms for other missionaries to come into which I am proud of! I will miss not being here for the baptisms but I am just happy they are making the choice to be baptized.

Now for your hunting! You are not going to kill a deer let alone see a buck if you don't get away from the roads. It is a simple as that. Unit 36A is the worst when it comes to roads. Even if an area doesn't look as good as one right of the road but it is way back in somewhere - GLASS IT! You will find deer in crazy spots with as much pressure as it sounds like there is! I wish so badly I could come help you! 31.874606,-111.251936 this would be a good hill to glass, and this area would be my first choice: 31.902609,-111.260669 Good luck out there this week! Also make sure you don't hunt 37a in December as it is not allowed. I would still set the trail cam up at that water tank I showed you in 37a just to see what the deer numbers look like in the area. I would hunt 37b or 38m over by starr pass in December for muleys if I were you! 32.249648,-111.089995 I would check this spot out in December!

Well I love and miss you tons! Especially right now when we could be hunting together but that is alright! Only one more year!!!

Love you Dad.

-Jake

AN INTERESTING WEEK...

                                                                         Hey!

So this week has been a very interesting one but a great one! Monday was pretty good. A lot of other missionaries came to Cody to go to the only walmart in the area. They came to the Stake Center after that and we played some B-Ball and some mini golf! It was pretty fun and it was great to see some missionaries from the Lovell area we don't see to often. 

Tuesday we had a great district meeting but that was pretty much it. Now for the interesting part. We got a call late Tuesday night from the Zone Leaders letting us know we would be going on exchanges with them from Wednesday thru Monday! I would be going to Powell with Elder Zacchilli and Elder Wood would be staying in Cody with Elder Thawley! It was way fun in Powell but it didn't last as long as it was supposed to! On Wednesday every one in the Zone found out if they were going to get I-pads or not. One Sister found out she was not going to be getting an I-pad yet and she flipped! Anyway long story short Elder Zacchilli was on the phone 24/7 with Elder Thawley, the Sister training Leaders, and the Assistants to the President trying to deal with the situation. It was insane. We ended up having to  go to Cody to get the oil changed on the Zone Leaders car and I ended up staying in Cody so the Zone Leaders could be together to figure the i-pad situation out. Even though the exchange was short it was really, really good and I enjoyed being with Elder Zacchilli and learning from him. I think the exchange was also very good for Elder Wood. 

On Friday night we went and visited the G. family so we could talk to their daughter M. about being baptized now and not waiting for Elder Davis to do it. It actually went really well and she is going to be baptized in 2 weeks!!! I am so excited for her. I wasn't here for A.'s lesson this week but I heard it went really well and he came to church! Things have been really good the last couple weeks and I hope it continues!

I have actually thought a lot about being a chiropractor believe it or not! It seems like a pretty relaxed job and I could be my own boss like Don! I was actually going to talk to Don about it when I got home and see if I might be able to get a job working for him somehow but who knows. 

I am glad the visit with Grandma and Grandpa went well. I wish I could have seen them! Mom - could you please get me the Kinzie's address. Thanks! I hope you have a great week and that you get everything done that you need too!

 I love you tons!

-Elder Richardson

THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE:

Below you will see some memorable quotes from General Authorities that spoke at General Conference a few weeks ago. My challenge this week is to go read/re-read one of your favorite General Conference talks. You can view the talks on-line by going HERE.

Heavenly Father has perfect foresight.
He knows each of us, & He knows our future.
- President Henry B. Eyring

I gave him to you because I knew you could & would love him,
no matter what he did.
(referring to a grandmother with a grandson in prison, but could easily relate to many of us)
- President Henry B. Eyring

There is joy guaranteed for the faithful.
- President Henry B. Eyring

We are responsible to be compassionate, charitable, & loving toward all men.
We are also to be respectful of the religious beliefs of all people.
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Have courage & face your fears with dignity.
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

We are here on Earth to run the race, pass the obstacles, & get to the finish line
with the stamina of our faith & testimony.
- Elder Richard J. Maynes

Satan will try to use our memory of previous guilt to lure us back into his influence.
We need to protect ourselves & avoid his enticements.
- Elder Richard G. Scott

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Hey Dad!

This week has been pretty good! We were able to teach a few more lessons than normal and stay busy for the most part! First off Bishop Rudolph is my bishop! That is crazy! He is honestly one of the most loving people I have ever met in my life. He is an amazing Bishop! That is kind of crazy one of your cousins knows him (cousins are actually related to Bishop Rudoph). 

Well I am glad Grandma and Grandpa's stay was good! I am happy you were able to spend some time with your parents and also see some relatives you haven't seen for awhile! Sounds like a great funeral! I have gone to so many funerals on my mission. It is kind of weird haha. 

Anyway I am so jealous that you will be hunting in 4 days! I hope you see some deer and at least a buck to get your blood pumping. It kind of stinks you are so busy with work and your church calling that you won't get to hunt much. Hunt hard and the lord will bless you for having you priorities straight! Make sure to take lots of pictures for me!! 

Well I'm pretty nervous about this upcoming transfer. Although who knows I might get to go back up to the Kalispell area which would be awesome! I don't know if I told you guys but Elder Shaw called me like 3 weeks ago just to see how things were going! We had a great talk and it really helped me out. He said he was going to try and get me back up to Kalispell before their mission is over which is in like late May, early June I believe! That made me happy but we will see if it actually happens! Man I miss the Shaws so much! 

Your trailcam pictures are awesome and the cow ones are pretty funny! That's so cool you caught a mountain lion on it too!!! I am really impressed with the quality of the pics for a trail cam under a hundred bucks!!! Well I hope you have a fantastic week and see some deer maybe even pull the trigger! 

I forgot to tell you Bro. Taggart has had some sweet stories about his hunts for Best Of The West lately and also that Brandon Davis mentioned me on one of their hunts!!!! My life is complete - haha -  just kidding.

Love you tons Dad!

-Jake

P.S. - This was in front of a bar on the main street here in Cody. Also when we left dinner last night the person next door just got home with their elk which was a nice bull probably mid 330s!

INSPIRED ZONE CONFERENCE!

This week was actually probably the best week of my last 2 transfers! We had Zone Conference on Tuesday which was great! It was a very inspired zone conference for sure! It was down in Worland Wyoming which is about 2 hours away. On the way there Elder Wood got a ticket for speeding which was pretty funny haha. The conference went from 9-4 so it was pretty long but good. President Mecham had some nice things to say to me before we left which really helped with the whole companion situation. 

On Wednesday night the Zone leaders came to Cody to interview all the Cody missionaries. Elder Thawley interviewed me and Elder Zachilli interviewed Elder Wood. Elder Thawley told me, but no one else knew why we were having the interviews. It was to see if we were worthy of having I-pad minis to help move the work forward! Our mission is going to pilot this new advance in technology! Elder Thawley told me that I would probably get one which made me super excited but than he talked about how Elder Wood would most likely not. I thought about it and told him not to give me one as long as I am with Elder Wood and he isn't eligible for one. I figured if he saw me with one it would just upset him further and not be a good thing. Elder Thawley agreed so I guess I will just have to wait a little bit longer. :/ That is alright though. So Elder Wood's interview went really well! I don't know if it was something Elder Zachilli said or if it was the fact that Elder Wood knew our mission was going to pilot something and he wasn't going to be a part of it but whatever it was it worked! He actually made a real effort to get up at 6:30 and study and he has started to read his scriptures and say his prayers again! He actually wanted to do missionary work and we did! I hope it continues this way! 

We met with A. again on Wednesday and he still needed to ask his dad if he could be baptized so we made him promise to ask by Saturday and tell us at church on Sunday. Well come Sunday he wasn't at church but his mom was and she told us the bad news. His dad said no for right now. She said he hasn't proven to his dad that it is really what he wants. So I think we are going to go over how he can show his dad that this is what he wants! 

I have been studying our area book lately and went through some of the previous and potential investigators. I made a list of 7 names or so that stood out to me! On Friday we made time to go contact from the list. Elder Wood chose the first name from the list but the guy wasn't home. I chose the second name which was a young family who stopped investigating about a year ago. When the man answered the door he was very nice. I told him how we were going through some old records and saw his name and thought we would stop by and see if he wanted to learn more or if there was anything we could do for him. He and his family were just leaving but he said we could come back and teach them again some time this week!! I was so pumped and I know the spirit guided me to their house at that time to catch them before they left! It was an awesome experience and I can't wait to meet with them again! 

Church was really good yesterday and we had 2 investigators show up and one less active. Both the G. kids showed up and stayed for all three hours which was great! The less active who came was D. B.  She is awesome and has a testimony of the church, she is just really busy and her only day to relax is Sunday which makes it hard for her to come to church but she made it! We are going to try to get her daughter to participate in the primary program in two weeks!

I think that sums it all up! My shot went fine and I took like a champ! Haha Elder Wood not so much. He has like the lowest pain tolerance of anybody I know. Lol. I haven't gotten a package from Grandee and Papa yet but will keep an eye out for it! I can't think of anything really other than maybe cracked pepper seeds for my box so I guess surprise me! Haha Well I love you more than words can describe and can't wait to skype you guys in like 2 months! 

-Elder Richardson

P.S. - Anyway so bad news we were just playing soccer and my vans basically ripped in half which is not surprising seeing how they have been really my only normal shoe for about a year. So I might have to go to K-mart and something and get a cheap pair of shoes. just thought I would warn you. Love you tons.

CHALLENGE:

Find someone you can share your testimony with this week. It will stregthen you and touch someone else. Check out these scriptures to help you prepare:

• I know that my redeemer liveth:Job 19:25–26;
• Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord:2 Tim. 1:8;
• The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy:Rev. 19:10;
• Stand as witnesses of God at all times:Mosiah 18:9;

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Hey Dad!

This week was actually really good but kinda long so you can read about it in the other letter. Hopefully things with the comp are turning around though! Also we had a great Zone conference down in Worland which was much needed!

 I forgot to put in the other letter that it snowed last night and is still snowing! There is about 1-2 inches or so! I kind of like the snow but at the same time it sucks! My shot and everything went well. I didn't even flinch unlike Elder wood whose whole leg kicked up when he got the shot it was pretty funny and I wish I would have recorded it! Anyway only 2 weeks in this transfer left so I guess we will see if I stay or go soon! I'm not sure yet if I want to stay or go?!? Whatever happens, happens!

 I hope you get to get out a shoot the gun before your hunt who knows how it is shooting after the spill it took 2 years ago haha! It is crazy to think that was 2 years ago! Time has flown! Before you know it we will be up in the desert mountains together chasing the grey ghosts again! I can't wait! I hope you get some sweet pics on the trail camera! I hope the government figures this crap out so you can go back to work! I hate being away from home while all this is happening. I don't know why i just do! You should see if Shiflet wants to go hunt with you! 2 sets of eyes are better than one! Well I love you a ton! I hope you have a good week and enjoy the company of your parents! 

-Jake

ENJOYED CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND...

Hey!

This week was a pretty good one and ended great with General Conference. I really enjoyed this conference! I felt like almost every talk really applied to me in some way or another. I think my favorite talk was Edward Dube I believe. He talked about unity and teamwork. Kinda made me think of the Gospel and church organization like a soccer team and that if we all don't work together and do our parts the best we can, that it just isn't going to work like it should! Anyway I really loved conference. 

To learn more on Elder Edward Dube...just click HERE!

We watched both Saturday sessions and the first Sunday Session at home with the Potts which I think was really good for them! They look at us like their kids since they never had any. We had lunch over at the Slights on Sunday and watched the 2nd Session with them. They have a super

sweet theatre type room in their basement which is where we got to watch it. They also have a son on a mission in Brazil. He went into the MTC a week before me but he went to the MTC in

Brazil so I wouldn't know him. 

This week was about the same as the others other than conference. We had a great lesson with A.on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is really progressing and starting to understand the importance of baptism and that when you are baptized you make a covenant with our Heavenly Father. He is on Date for the 19th of this month! I am so excited for not only him, but his family as well! Who knew that an 11 year old boy could help his family come back to church! He is awesome!

Things with the comp haven't gotten any better unfortunately. I am really hoping for a change of scenery this next transfer. I can't believe this transfer is already over in 3 weeks! Time has flown by - also I hit 11 months in 7 days but who is counting!

Well I love you and miss you a ton. Oh ya, I did get your package thank you. I also loved the General Conference book you made me and used the whole thing! Thank you so much! I hope you have a great week and can remain stress free about the work situation! I know it is hard because I am stressed about it and I am not even home! 

Know that I love you more than words can describe!

-Elder Richardson

CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK:

A quote that I love is

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

We need to make sure we are not focusing on our doubts and what we can not do more than we are focusing on our Faith and what we can surely do with the help of the Lord! 

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Hey Dad,

This week has been pretty good and it ended great with general conference! I love conference! I can't believe how much I used to just like it because I could sleep! Haha But man when you actually pay attention and take notes it is so much better and it goes by faster. Likewise Priesthood session was not the same without you. But is was a great session. 

We got like 6-8 inches of snow and our driveway had like a foot on it! It is nuts that is snowing in October but it makes everything a lot prettier and easier to spot the deer. ;) Anyway I have some cool pics to send you of some speed goats in the snow. Also a member of our ward who is a big hunter shot a nice elk 2 days ago that will probably push the 300 mark. I will send you a pic of that as well. 

The work is still progressing and A. is on Date for the 19th of this month which is great!! I am a little tired of my comp though.  He is not very mature. Like last week I wanted to go tracting to kill some time and when we pulled up to the street I wanted to tract he just said NO and wouldn't get out of the car!  :/ Anyway I guess we are together for some reason. 

I can't wait to see if you got any pics on the trail camera!! I wish I was there to check it with you but that's alright. 

I love you lots!

-Jake

 I circled the buck deer in the picture because it was hard to find him...just click on picture to enlarge it.