SOME SNOW THAT STUCK AROUND!

Hey family!

Nothing to exciting happened this week. It was pretty much the same as the last except for the weather. It was pretty cold this week but has started to warm up the last couple of days. One day, I think it was Tuesday, it snowed 3", it was 8 degrees and the wind was blowing like crazy! It was by far the coldest I have been on my mission so far! I guess the following morning it was like -14 degrees when our branch president left for work. I really hope that is as cold as it gets this winter because if it gets much colder I will freeze! 

Another thing we got to do this week was speak in church! What a surprise - haha! Apparently there was supposed to be a couple guest speakers from Billings but when they didn't show up we were asked to speak! I seriously hate speaking! I cannot wait to be in a big ward where you speak like once every 2 years! Other than speaking, church was pretty good! We had 2 less actives come to church! It was L. and her mom. I think it was actually a good thing we were the ones to speak at church since they came. Unfortunately they left after Sacrament meeting, but at least they came! 

We actually had a few dinners this week which was awesome! Brother Mager gave us a big chunk of deer meat from the deer he killed with us! Elder Richins cooked it and it was actually pretty good. We had the roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and corn! It was a pretty good meal for missionaries to cook themselves if I do say so myself! Haha. Other than that not much has happened this week. We found out this Wednesday we are going to Billings for Zone Training which should be good. At least we will get to see some other missionaries!

I am glad you got to celebrate your birthday this week Mom! I just wish I could have been there! Did you get my card? How was the movie? Was it as good as you thought it would be? I am so pumped for Thanksgiving! We have been invited to two different houses for dinner so I should be pretty full! 

I am seriously going to miss Thanksgiving at home! I can't believe I will be home next Thanksgiving though! It is pretty crazy to think about. That is awesome you are having the missionaries over for Thanksgiving! Those are the luckiest missionaries ever! 

That about sums up my week! I really hope you have a great thanksgiving! I thought instead of a challenge this week, I would share what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving -

I am thankful for a Mom that is so loving, supportive, and concerned about me. I am thankful for a Dad who is my best friend and shares the same interests I do. I am thankful for a supportive sister who is there whenever I need her. I am thankful for friends and family that are so loving and supportive. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord for 2 years even if it is hard at times! I am so thankful for the testimony I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings it brings into my life! Most of all I am thankful for my Savior who atoned for my sins and made it possible for me to return to live with my Father in Heaven! I love you all and am thankful for all of you! 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

-Elder Richardson

p.s. - Tell everyone I'm mail hungry!!!   

Jake would LOVE some mail...so if you have a free minute this week slip him a note -

Elder Richardson

PO BOX #655
Harlowton, MT 
59036

__________________________________

Hey Dad!

This week hasn't been to exciting. It got super cold and I thought I was going to freeze. I think I got a little feel for what it was like for you over in Finland! I think I would have died! That is awesome that it is starting to cool down. Maybe it will stay cold until the December bow hunt starts and the rut will get started early! That would be awesome! Have you been able to shoot your bow this week at all. 

It sounds like you have been really busy with the changes in the ward and tithing settlement and everything! I am glad you were able to at least go out with mom and celebrate her birthday! That is so awesome that you are going to be able to go through the Temple with the Davidsons! That will be such a neat experience. I hope I will get the chance to do that with someone I have taught. That would be great.

We got invited to a couple of houses for Thanksgiving so I think we will be taken care of. We got an email today that told all the missionaries we aren't aloud to participate in any Turkey Bowls or similar events. I don't think they do one here anyways though. I don't think we will be going hunting with anyone else this year since the season ends at the end of the month and this was our last P-day to go, and we aren't. That is okay though. 

That was a great Idea to make the picture of my year mark shirt the background of your work computer! 

I hope someone says something about it to you and you can have a conversation about missionary work! I hope you get out this week and get to see some deer at least! I love and miss you. 

Do me a favor and do something fun for yourself this week!

-Jake