Blog Archives

baptism week!!!!

11/24/2014

HELLO!
     First, the not so fun news. So, I went to the mission doctor on Wednesday and he examined my knee and nothing was seriously wrong off the bat, so that's good. However, he wants me to wear a knee brace, take some pain pills, and get an X-ray. I have my X-ray today in about 3 hours, so I will hopefully find out what's going on this week. I think it is just internal inflammation, so that's what I'm hoping for. Its been 4 weeks since the collision. The pain usually isn't too bad in the morning, but after walking miles and miles in the day by the night time its pretty dang painful. So ya, I will keep you updated. I had to go to the office for the appointment so I was able to get my package early..again!! The Lord just continue to bless me!
     So now for the awesome parts of the week! There were 6 baptisms in our ward this week! 2 were our investigators and the other 4 were the other Elders investigators. Our investigators names are Liliana and Francisco Osorio! There daughter Valentina didn't get baptized this week so we are going to continue to teach here until she feels ready. However, there other daughter who is 21 and is studying the US was baptized on the same day as well! I baptized Liliana and it went pretty well. I had to do it twice because apparently her leg came out of the water. But the second time I said the prayer, it was a lot smother so it all worked out for the better. They all bore their testimonies and feelings before the service ended and it was AMAZING! Their testimonies and just feeling the pure joy and happiness they have was amazing. I am so happy for each of them and all of the blessings they are going to receive! AHH! I love them so much!! If you guys ever have a chance to go to a baptism...GO! Baptisms are the best things ever! Oh and if any of you have not seen the video "Because of Him" I would highly recommend you go watch it now! Well even if you have seen it, watch it again. It is so powerful and the Spirit is so strong during the video. I know that this gospel changes lives and that though the gospel of Jesus Christ we can receive so many blessings that the Lord has for us. I know that through this gospel we can have eternal families and live with our families and with God for eternity. I love this gospel and am so grateful for the peace it brings to my life. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and he is always there for us and wants to help and bless us with any challenge we have. And I know with all my heart that God answers EVERYONE'S prayers. When we ask anything with faith, he will always answer. I love you all so much and am So grateful for all the support and for all of your prayers!
Chau!
Elder Richmond

My 100 days out package!

Elder Antivero, Francisco & Liliana Osorio, Me!

Baptism Day!!!

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This week was really great!!!!!

11/17/2014

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HOLA!
     I have a ton to say and not a lot of time to say it so the sentences will probably be choppy. Here I go... I had Higado this week for lunch. We were eating at a members house and the meat that we had just looked weird and I was thinking to myself "I wonder if this is fake meat?". But it was pretty good so I kept eating. Then my comp asked if I knew what I was eating and long story short I found out it was Higado, or in English, Liver. Yep, I had my first liver this week. And it really is true that once you know what something is it is so much harder to eat it because I was thinking about the texture more and...yeah it was fun haha.
     Oh and I will be getting X-rays on my knee in the near future because my knee has been hurting for 3 weeks after I clashed knees during soccer. So if you guys could pray for me that the will of God will be done. If that means I have to leave Colombia I'm okay with it as long as its where God needs me to be. So I will keep you updated on that. Now the best part of the week! We were having a lesson with the Familia Osorio, who are an incredible family. They went on vacation to the US last month and found the church there and had 2 lessons and then when they came back we continued the lessons. I didn't have time to tell you about them last week but they are AMAZING! I can tell you more about there story at Christmas because it is so cool and you can see how God prepared them SO MUCH! Anyway, they accepted the baptismal date of Nov 22 our second lesson with them because they literally knew everything and went to church twice in the US and now have gone 3 times in Colombia. So this week we were on the topic of who can baptize them and then Liliana, the mom who was sitting next to me, touched my shoulder and asked "will you baptize me?". My first though was "what?" I was still trying to process the Spanish and I asked her to say it again because I wanted to make sure I heard her correctly. So she repeated herself and I told here "Claro" which is "of course". It was honestly one of the coolest and special moments in my life so far. And what's really cool is that I'm excited that I get to baptize her but I'm more excited that she is going to be baptized and receive so many blessings on her decision! I'm so excited for all of them and love this family SOO MUCH! And then at the end of the same lesson I gave there littlest daughter a blessing for health. We have given a ton of blessings here but this was the first time that I gave the blessing and didn't do the anointing of the oil. So this week was really great!! Well got to go but I love you all and thank you so much for your support and prayers!
Elder Richmond

Picture of our new zone with a lot more gringos!

My pose is super awkward but hey, I'm an awkward person right? haha

From Pday today...with Elder Mikesell!!

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My feelings for colombia

11/10/2014

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HELLO!!
First off, I want to clarify my feelings for Colombia because I think some of you may be a bit confused. I love Colombia and the people of Colombia. Now, just like any other country in the world there are many different types of people. Some who do drugs, rob, murder, and other things that are not the best and others who are extremely kind, generous, and are very good people. Now, if what I shared in my last email offended any of you, I am extremely sorry and I apologize. I did not mean to offend you or degrade Colombia. Colombia is beautiful and has many, many amazing people who are so prepared for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that if you were confused before you can now see that I think Colombia is amazing and sometimes things happen, just like in any other country.
Anyway, this week was awesome because I finally finished the Book of Mormon and gained a testimony of its truthfulness. I invite everyone to read and pray about it because I know it has the power to change your life. I am so grateful for the mission and all of the things I get to learn through the hard and fun times. I love you all so much and am so grateful for all of your prayers and support!! Sorry this is short and if I didn't answer to your email, I had a super short amount of time today. Adios!
Elder Richmond

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I'm staying in Villa Maria! with a STOVE and FRIDGE!!!!!

11/3/2014

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HELLO!!!
Well, this week was better than last week just due to the fact that no one tried to rob us this week!! Yay!! haha. Transfers were today and I will be in Villa Maria 2 for 6 more weeks! But Elder Mikesell, who was in the CCM with me, is being transferred to Villa Maria 1 so I'm so excited to see him again! Its honestly a tender mercy because its been tough not having anyone to talk to who is going through the same stuff, especially in English! But he should get here tonight or tomorrow morning. Oh and WE GOT A STOVE AND FRIDGE!!! I don't think I have ever been so happy for kitchen appliances in my whole life!!! However, we still don't have anything to eat with or cook with...but its progress. I have become so grateful for all the little things in my life during my time here. It had been almost exactly 6 weeks without the stove or fridge, and then we didn't have electricity for a day, and then the toilets here always break. So everyone, be grateful for all of the little things in your life because like Sister Pomar always said "It could be worse".
Oh this week I met a guy who spoke some English and talked with me. He then proceeded to tell me he was a Vampire and that is why he cant really have a religion. He loves God but he cant have religion. His face was painted white and he was wearing a black track suit. And then he left and starting smoking pot in the park. Oh yeah another thing, EVERYONE SMOKES POT HERE!! Whenever you walk past the park you always get a wiff of some of it! I think its illegal here but no one really follows the law and the police don't do much. After my comp was held at knife point the first time he almost got robbed, he got away and we ran to a store and told them to call the cops and told them what happened. They just smiled at us and laughed and said there is no point in calling the police and thought that it was kinda funny. So ya, there's that. My Spanish has definitely improved from the start of my mission and I'm able to participate a lot more in lessons. I usually just testify if I have no idea what is going on, but hey, a testimony is always good, right? Well got to go!! LOVE YOU ALL!! and so sorry that I couldn't reply to you all that wrote me, I didn't have much time today.

Elder Richmond

Ward Halloween Party

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baptism week!!!!

This week was really great!!!!!

My feelings for colombia

I'm staying in Villa Maria! with a STOVE and FRIDGE!!!!!

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