EXCHANGES, EXCHANGES, and more EXCHANGES...

Hey,

This last week was crazy. It was full of exchanges, exchanges, and more exchanges haha. We have been putting a big push on exchanges and focusing on finding efforts during our exchanges. So Elder McGrath and I have 3 companionship's we are going on exchanges with. Our first exchange was this last Tuesday to Thursday. I went to Lander to be with E. Jackson in the Wind River area. It was a pretty good time. Elder Jackson and I get along pretty well. Then E. McGrath and I were back together in our area for Thursday night which was chalk full of lessons! :) Then I left Friday morning to go on an exchange with E. Hunter in my old stompin' grounds of Pavilion and Dubois! It was a blast. I got to see a lot of familiar faces which was so much fun. We even made it up to Dubois on Saturday. While we were in Dubois I got to see that guys pet bobcat again. I will send you some pictures of it! Then I got back into my area with E. McGrath late Saturday night and actually got to spend a full day in my area with my companion on Sunday! Haha. 

We had stake conference this Sunday which was good. We had a special broadcast from Salt Lake and Elder's Bednar and Scott addressed us. It was pretty good but I struggled to stay awake. i was pretty worn out from exchanges but guess what they aren't over yet! I leave this afternoon to do an exchange back in Lander with the other companionship there serving in the Sinks Canyon area. It should be good but I want to just be in my area with my companion. That is selfish but it is true. I do love getting to help and counsel missionaries. I learn a lot from exchanges as well, which is always good. 

So we had a pretty crazy experience this last Monday while out tracting! We were knocking some doors in a trailer park when we knocked on a pretty friendly looking trailer. We didn't expect what happened next. A guy in his 40's answered the door butt naked. We both didn't know how to react so we just asked if he had heard about the movie "Meet The Mormons" that is coming to Riverton. He said no and we just said alright and left. It was super weird and way awkward. We laughed about it for awhile after that. Then we tracted into a couple of wickens and have a return appointment with them which should be interesting.(Also as I am writing this guy just walked up to us in the library and said that he used to be Mormon but converted to satanism when he was 15 and has sacrificed hundreds of cats. He then said it was to messy so he is thinking about coming back to the "Mormon" church but only if we will participate in sacrifices haha! Pretty crazy!)

Well I am glad your week was eventful. I am so sorry about your back. I will keep you in my prayers! I hope it doesn't take to long for you to get back and at it again! I love you tons! Thank you for the package!!!!

Have a great week!

-Elder Richardson

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Hey Dad!

This last week was super busy and full of exchanges! You can read about all of that in my email to Mom. I am bummed Mom hurt her back. That sucks! I hope she gets feeling better soon! So some crazy stuff happened this last week. We tracted into a naked guy. I am scared for life. We are teaching some wickens. We had a guy tell us he sacrifices cats. We went to a funeral up in DuBois at a Lutheran church which was different to say the least. It was overall a good hard working week. While I was in Pavilion and DuBois we did some service for a non-member. We help him throw 2 tons of hay. To say I was tired after that is an understatement! It was pretty fun though.

Also I forgot to tell Mom this but we had Zone training this last Tuesday which went really well. Elder McGrath and I gave a sweet discussion on helping investigators make and keep commitments. Also I had to bear my departing testimony which was depressing and weird. I can't believe that was my last Zone Training. I also can't believe October is already almost over. 

So about my homecoming talk. Give me this week to think about what I would like to talk on, but out of those 2 dates I would prefer the 23rd. The sooner the better. Also if I just have 15-20 minutes that would be great haha! I don't want a ton of time. Also I already have a current Temple Recommend. I had an interview with my Mission President that took care of it. Mine expired in September. It will be really neat to be home and participate in Pheonix Temple Open House though! I can't wait to see the Gilbert and Pheonix temples in person.

I can't lie I am getting pretty excited about hunting in a month!!!!!! We see a lot of animals in the back of trucks right now which is fun but makes me think about hunting to much. We also visited the Carper's in pavilion while I was on an exchange and Kyle the son killed a small 4x4 with his tradition Sharps muzzle-loader! They are awesome! They talked about coming down some time and hunting javelina with us!!

That is really all I have for this week!

 Hope you have a great week!

-Elder Richardson

This is the Carper family from Pavilion Wyoming. They are one of my favorite famililies that I have met while on my mission! I got to visit with them during exchanges this week...it was a blast!!!

Meet TIGER the bobcat.

Pretty cool!!!

  

An awesome mount of a pike going for a duckling that I thought was cool.

A buck in a taxidermy shop that scores in the 240's apparently.

 A real buck outside our house in our backyard!

MLC, ZONE INTERVIEWS, & ACTING ON PROMPTINGS...

Hey Mom!

This last week was really good, fast, and crazy! It started out with Mission Leadership Council which we call MLC. It is a council for all Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. We discuss the vision of the mission and talk about how we are going to make the vision come alive I guess. The meeting is held in Helena so we left Monday around 2 pm. Got into Billings that night at 8:30 pm. Before we got to Billings though since we had some time Elder McGrath and I went and visited the Pollock's in Laurel. It was a blast! We left the next morning at 4:30 amto be in Helena about 8:30 am. Had MLC from 9-4 and got back to Billings that night around 9 pm. Then we left the next morning at 7 am and on our way to Riverton received a call from President Mecham informing us he was interviewing our Zone starting in Worland. So we stopped in Worland and had interviews. We continued interviews down in Riverton the next day. I enjoy doing interviews with the missionaries before they get interviewed by President! I love hearing how they are doing and what we can do to help. Also I didn't even get interviewed by President since it is my last transfer. It felt weird, but we did sit down and talk about our Zone and what his vision is specifically for our Zone here which was sweet!

We had a good week when it came to teaching. We have a pretty good teaching pool here and are very busy between it and Zone Leader stuff. For example we have Zone Training tomorrow which we have been planning for and what not. We do have a couple people on date though. We also had the Confirmations of the Grover boys who were baptized last Sunday at church today which was sweet. It was also the primary program at church which was a blast!

So I will share a sweet experience we had this week. We had about an hour left until 9 pm and we were trying to think of people to see and Elder McGrath said he had a prompting to try a certain couple. We went to that area and tried them but they weren't home. I asked Elder McGrath if he specifically had the prompting to see them or just be in this area and he said he wasn't sure. I told him that I had a prompting that we weren't there for them but someone else in the area and he agreed! We looked at the houses and picked one that felt right. We knocked it and the people were definitely not interested which was disappointing but we didn't give up. We chose a house across the street and a couple down that we felt good about. We knocked it and a lady came out of the garage door and said that she would meet us at the front door but it didn't sound to promising. She and her husband answered the door and said "Come in, Come in!!" We were taken aback. We sat in their living room and got to know them. Turns out they are an  older couple named the Ortiz's that we had never met. The husband had served in bishoprics and they had served a mission. We proceeded to tell them about the promptings we had and why we were tracting the area. With tears in her eyes the wife responded and said "I know why you are here". She told us how her husband has been very sick for a while and how they haven't found a solution to the problem. He was going to the doctor the next day to have tests run and what not to try and find a solution. She said we were sent there to give him a blessing. I gave Brother Ortiz a blessing that was one of the most powerful blessings I have given and Elder McGrath gave Sister Ortiz a powerful blessing as well. Overall it was an amazing experience and very reassuring to know that the Holy Ghost was working with Elder McGrath and I that night! There is nothing better than feeling the promptings of the Holy Ghost, acting on them, and seeing immediate results!! It was great.

I love you a ton and hope that your busy week is a good one!

-Elder Richardson

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Dad!

We had a great week! It was full of teaching, finding, meeting and interviews! We have a good teaching pool here with a mix of investigators, less actives and part member families. We teach quite a bit and have a lot of ZL stuff which makes it hard to find I guess. That is something we are working on balancing! Although we still do a little finding. We teach a few Native Americans which is a first for me. It is kind of different to teach them because of their traditional beliefs. Their families are massive haha.

Church was good. It was the primary program which is a blast. Made me kind of miss teaching primary and being on the stand with my class! Good times! We have a solid Gospel Principals class and a great Elders Quorum. We also had meetings with the Bishop of the Mountain View Ward to discuss the missionary work there and also with the Stake President to discuss the missionary work overall in the Riverton Stake. It was a sweet meeting. The stake president here is great!

Hopefully you can get out and set up those trail cams! I am dying! We almost hit pheasants on our road everyday which makes me tempted to hit one and eat it! Haha. We also see a few deer and lots of raccoons at night!

It is crazy to me that Kasey is already coming home today. I am not sure who Michael Murdock is. But there are a lot of stores named after him up here! haha! I look forward to meeting him when I get home.

I hope the fact that your week is busy will make it fly by. Pretty crazy to think I have less than 30 days left. It doesn't even feel real. I hope things here in Aspen Park stay busy to help me not get distracted. My companion actually gave me a great compliment last night. He said "You aren't even trunky! I hope I can finish my mission as strong as you." That made me feel great especially cause home has been running through my mind a little but lately. I just hope I can continue to set a good example and finish strong!!!

I love you tons Dad!

-Elder Richardson

 The Bett's Family - They are awesome! They helped us a ton 

and were always there if we needed anything!

 Pollock Family - They are Great! I always felt like I was at home in their house.

 This is Shirley - I am so grateful to have met her!

 This is the wonderful Goss family!

 This is the Legg family - I loved being in their home!

 This is the older Goss's - She made my camo blanket for me 

and they always take real good care of the missionaries!

These pictures are of our drive to Mission Leadership Council!

CRAZY BUSY...

Hey Mom!

This last week was pretty crazy with transfers and all. I spent most of Tuesday saying bye to everyone. Well I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone but it was impossible with only a day and a half. I already miss Laurel but Riverton is good. The work here is awesome! We taught 23 lessons this week and had 3 baptisms this Sunday Between conference sessions! It is a blast to be with Elder McGrath. We get along pretty well but almost to well to where we can bug each other sometimes. It was way crazy to get the call from the assistants on Thursday about me being a Zone Leader. It was great news for both Elder McGrath and I. Elder McGrath had been praying for a Zone Leader companion and this is going to help me finish very strong! I am really excited for this opportunity.

Some of my duties as a Zone Leader are to minister to the missionaries in the Zone, help plan and schedule Zone meetings, being a part of the leadership council in the mission, reporting key indicators every Monday and other things I can't even remember but there is a ton. We have not been able to make it to bed on time yet with how many calls we make and get in the evenings!! haha. It is great though. I know a couple of the missionaries in our Zone which is nice. We have an amazing Zone. We are killing it!

So today we are leaving at 2 pm to go to Billings. From Billings we will leave tomorrow morning to go to Helena for MLC (Mission Leadership Council). It is an all day meeting where as leaders we discuss the mission as a whole. What we are doing well on, what we could improve on, etc. It should be a good time.

General Conference was awesome. My 3 favorite talks were Elder Robbins in the first session, Elder Jorg Klebingat talk in the 2nd session, and Elder Bednar's talk in the last session. Over all it was a great conference with a ton of inspiring messages!

We had 3 boys from the Grover family who was recently activated baptized this Sunday! It was an awesome baptism with a ton of support from the ward!! Our Ward is pretty sweet. Very friendly people who are willing to help. I look forward to getting to know them better. We teach a ton of less actives and a lot of Natives. Our area is not the most wealthy. A lot of poor people and some very sketchy areas. One trailer park that we visit someone in, a member wouldn't even go to, haha! I didn't think it was that bad.

I hope all is well for you. I really hope you can start to feel better. I hate knowing that you are sick and in pain. I hope the doctors can figure something out. I will keep you in my prayers!

I need a pair of pants for my Charcoal suit. I am not sure what size they are but I am pretty sure they are 36 long. I also thought that polmeroys had it saved or something? Maybe ask them.

I had to use like $65 to send home packages. You should be getting another one today or sometime early this week full of deer antlers! Haha. Since I had to use that much money on packages I may need more for my flu shot. Sorry. 

I love you tons and hope your week is fantastic!!!

-Elder Richardson

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Hey Dad!

Like I said in my email to Mom this week has been pretty hectic and super busy! We have so much more stuff to do as Zone Leaders. We are seriously busy all the time! That is good though and will help me remain focused to the end and finish very strong. My companion Elder McGrath (I call him Elder McGarth. haha)and I get along very well. I was his district leader for a couple of transfers in Laurel. I miss Laurel a ton but it is great here in Riverton work wise. We teach a lot of people and are way busy which is awesome. Elder McGrath is also a very great teacher which is nice. I  love having someone to testify with and teach with. We teach really well together. 

Our house is sweet. We live in a members house. They currently live in a different home so we get the entire place to ourselves until they sell it. It is a pretty nice place. There is a lot more wildlife here. We almost hit pheasants on our road everyday. We see deer a lot and even some guines. Chicken like birds. I think those are our neighbors.

So I pretty much told everything to Mom like always haha. I am excited to see what the trail cameras turn up. Make sure to take some pictures while you are out there and maybe try and do some glassing in the evening. As I see more and more people hunting up here I am getting more excited for this hunting season. Although like I said there is not anytime to think about anything other than missionary work right now which is awesome! As far as javelina goes I say put in for 1 rifle tag each and then we can also try and kill one with our bows. I think it would be a blast to do both. I say either put in for 36's rifle or 33 rifle and we can choose where to hunt with our bows.

 Thanks for the sports update. To bad for the cougars but I am kind of happy that if someone beat them it was Utah State - go Aggies! That sucks for their QB. he was apparently a potential Heisman winner. That is a bummer.

I hope you have a great week and can find time to set up the trail cams! The trail cam I sent you has a broken strap I believe. Sorry.

-Elder Richardson

ELDER RICHARDSON & MCGRATH

Riverton, Wyoming

TRANSFER CHANGE...

Hi mom & dad,

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived safe and to give you my address.

So first off our address is: 

6 Sunny Terrace

Riverton, WY 82501

 

Also, just thought I would let you know that my transfer info changed a little bit when I arrived. Instead of being a normal missionary with Elder McGrath I am going to be a Zone Leader here in the Wyoming South Zone. I am pretty excited and know that this will be a way sweet last transfer! I'm excited to serve my fellow missionaries in this new way.

I Love You Both!

-Elder Jake Richardson 

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                 RIVERTON, WYOMING

The city is an incorporated entity of the state of Wyoming. The community was named Riverton because of the four rivers that meet there.^[7] The town was built on land ceded from the reservation in 1906, a situation that often makes it subject to jurisdictional claims by the nearby Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.

In December 2013, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior and Department of Justice declared Riverton to be a part of the Wind River Indian Reservation, undoing the 1905 law passed by Congress.^[8][9]

Current weather forecast for Riverton, WY

Population in 2012: 10,971 (99% urban, 1% rural). Population change since 2000: +17.8%

Males: 5,465	(49.8%)
Females: 5,506	(50.2%)

Median resident age:	35.4 years
Wyoming median age:	42.3 years

Zip codes: 82501.

Estimated median household income in 2012: $38,203 (it was $31,531 in 2000)

Riverton:	$38,203
WY:	$54,901

Estimated per capita income in 2012: $20,369

Riverton city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2012: $150,408 (it was $80,000 in 2000)

Riverton:	$150,408
WY:	$187,400

Mean prices in 2011: All housing units: $150,475; Detached houses: $166,885; Townhouses or other attached units: $135,896; Mobile homes: $28,081

Median gross rent in 2012: $652.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Riverton-Wyoming.html#b#ixzz3FDJVh4hj

Notable people[edit]

• John Bennett Herrington, astronaut
• Lance Deal, four-time Olympic hammer thrower (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)
• Bucky Jacobsen, former Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners
• Brett Newlin, Olympic rower
• Kristen Newlin, international basketball player
• Ashlynn Yennie, actress
• Joshuah Marshall, National Award Winning Peace Corps Volunteer

Economy[edit]

Brunton, Inc. is home to the manufacturer of the Brunton compass.

Education[edit]

Public education in the city of Riverton is provided by Fremont County School District #25. The district operates three K–3 elementary schools (Ashgrove, Aspen Park, and Jackson), Rendezvous Elementary School (grades 4–5), Riverton Middle School (grades 6–8), and Riverton High School (grades 9–12).

Central Wyoming College is located in Riverton, with off-campus sites in Wyoming in Jackson, Lander, Thermopolis, Dubois, and the Wind River Indian Reservation.