NOT THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WEEK OF MY MISSION....

Hey!

This week has been fun, but not the most productive week on my mission. It was also freezing and there was a ton of snow!! It has been negative for the last couple days or so and has snowed over 4 feet in February alone!!

Once again 3/4 of our appointments cancelled which left us with a lot of time. We spent time with the Echo Canyon Elders which was probably not the wisest decision but I dont feel too bad about it since it helped a missionary stay on his mission! One of the Echo Canyon Elders, Elder A., was struggling pretty bad the last couple of weeks and was pretty sure he was going home because of some things that he had done and also because he was frustrated with some things going on in the mission. We were able to go to lunch and kind of hang out with him a few times this week when we had nothing to do. We got slapped on the wrist for it which made me feel really bad that we had done it, but then when Elder A. told me that spending time with us is the reason he is still on a mission and not home - well it made getting in a little touble all worth it! Don't worry though I will not be hanging out with other missionaries any more as I know that obedience does bring blessings. Here is a quote that I love! "When obedience ceases to be a burden it becomes a blessing". So other than that not to much exciting stuff happened!

We were able to teach a really cool lesson this week. On Friday we got invited to play basketball with some of the youth in our ward and another ward and also some of their non-member friends. I really wanted to go but knew that we were not supposed to go play basketball on days other than preperation day, but I honestly felt that we needed to go not to just play basketball but to teach a lesson as well. We told the kids that if we came and played basketball we would be teaching a lesson before we started. They all agreed to it and it was awesome! There were about 8 members and one non-member. We taught them the first missionary discussion, or the restoration. The non-member, Dan, was very engaged in the lesson and excepted a Book of Mormon. It was one of the coolest experiences of my mission. It truly shows that we can all do missionary work in our own special way and no one can tell you how to do "Your" missionary work...we should just do it! It was such a good experience that our Bishop's kids told him about it, and he told us that he wants us to do it every week. We also had one of the youth that was there get up yesterday and bear his testimony in Sacrament Meeting on that experience! It was really a great thing and this is one of the best things we could have going on in this area but we were told by our Zone Leaders that we cannot do it anymore. I am super frustrated that I am doing missionary work in a way that works for me but apparently it is not an effective use of our time?!? I ended up getting my I pad taken away for doing this... So needless to say I am pretty frustrated about the leadership in my Zone right now but I will get past it. I am honestly not even mad I lost my I-pad over this because I know that I was fulfilling my purpose by bringing others closer to Christ! Now- my rant is over! Lol.

Transfer news! I am being transferred which doesn't surprise me, and it also doesn't anger me. I am going to be going to Laurel, MT which is 20 minutes from Billings. I am still in the same Zone which I am not all that excited for now but that is OK. My new companion is Elder Buntrock! He has been in Laurel for 3 transfers I believe. It is nice to not be doubled in again! He is also the district leader which means that I will be the Junior companion which I am actually kind of excited for! I feel like I have done a lot of babysitting lately in a way, so I am excited to have a companion that can hold his own! Also, Elder Sagers served in Laurel for 3 transfers and is back there visiting this week so I am pumped to see him!

I am glad you had an enjoyable week!! I am super jealous that you guys got to participate in the Temple dedication. I forgot to tell you - we got to go the Temple with our whole Zone this Friday. It was a very great experience and we even had a few people from our Ward in the same session as us!

I'm glad you got to spend time with Dad and go on a date and what not! I hope you have an amazing week!!

Love you tons!

-Elder Richardson

MY NEW ADDRESS

ELDER RICHARDSON

314 Cedar Ave.

Laurel, Montana 59044

_____________________________

Hey Dad!

First things first. I am getting transferred! I am going to Laurel, MT and my new companion is Elder Buntrock. I know him a little bit and I am honestly really excited to be companions with him. Laurel is about 25 minutes or so, west of Billings and I am actually in the same Zone. I am actually fine with being transferred. I also will have a car now!!!! I am really excited to not have to walk around in this weather anymore!

Some one at church yesterday was saying that we got 4 feet of snow in February alone!! It has been super cold and snowy!! I wish I could wear a short sleeve shirts like you haha. Also about the pants I ripped in my little snow boarding incident haha.... yes they were

suit pants unforunately but I think I will be fine without them!

It sounds like your week has been pretty relaxing compared to your last ones at least. You got to take a nap, go on a date, go out to look for owls (I guess that is work), and attend the Temple dedication. Sounds like a pretty good week to me. Our week was OK but you can read all about that in my general letter to Mom. It is a long story and I am to lazy to type the whole thing again.

Man that is crazy if Bowhuis goes home this transfer. I thought he went home next transfer! I thought he had 6 months on me? Who knows but either way it is crazy to think

he is basically done and I only have 8 months left. Time flies!!

I'm not going to lie... I miss watching sports and hunting so much!!! I am super bummed

U of A is doing so well this year and I cant watch them! Also it sounds like BYU is doing decent which should make you happy!

Well this weeks email is kind of short but I hope you have a fantastic week!

I love and miss you!!

-Jake