Richie Tackles Reno: Week 84 – Another Week in Paradise

April 25, 2016

Howdy!!

This week has been another super fun week, full of more miracles!! Elder Han and I have really been getting into a good rhythm and it is such a blessing to have a companion who is as awesome as Elder Han, I love him so much!

P-day Cook-off

Last P-day (Preparation Day) we had a really fun zone activity. We had a Reno Zone cook-off and split the zone into three groups. Everyone had to cook something, and the only requirement was that it had to include fruit snacks. It was a lot of fun, and it was also Elder Stotts' birthday, so we had fun celebrating together. I am no chef by any means but Elder Han, Sister Chesnut, and I were the judges afterwards and it was a fun activity. After everyone cooked, we played the famous "name game" that we always play back at home, and the zone had a lot of fun with that. We required that everyone put at least one person from the scriptures in the bowl.

But as far as the REAL missionary work goes, things are going great!

Francisco is still awesome. We went over this week and helped paint some of his house and got to know him. He told us that he wants missionaries to live with him, because he has an empty room in his house. He is super solid!! He couldn't come to church yesterday because he got a new job, and he still works on Sundays right now. But he is hoping that within the next few weeks he can get Sundays off. He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and he understands almost all that he reads! He told us that he wants to wait for his fiancé to come back from her trip to Fiji in June before he gets baptized. But he is actually a really cool guy, and he has more desire than anyone I've ever met to learn more about the church! Last night, we got a call from his fiancé and she told us that he still has lots of questions and feels a little overwhelmed with everything that we have taught him. It was good to hear that because sometimes we get too excited and teach tons of information. So we are going to slow down and review what we have taught him, because we have already taught him the first 3 main lessons. But we love Francisco a lot!

The Luciano family is doing okay. Their daughter is still doing great…she came to church yesterday and also brought her 16-year-old brother (who is taller than she is!) and they both had a great time! Both of them want to go to girls’ camp and scout camp, so we want to get them involved. However, the parents are going through a rough time - so keep them in your prayers.

I got to go on exchanges with the Assistants this week, and it was a total blast! I spent the day with Elder Nieves in the Prater ward, and it was a lot of fun to go back for a day. It is crazy how just going back to my old house brings back a FLOOD of memories. But it is also cool how it didn't really feel like home anymore, I was eager all day to get back to my current area. I love Elder Nieves, he is definitely one of my mission homies.

With Elder Nieves - one of my mission homies

This week I have been studying in Alma when the Sons of Mosiah are out doing their missionary work, and they are such great examples to me! There is so much to be learned from all of them, especially for me as a full-time missionary right now!

Alma 26:29…"And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again."

This scripture teaches us that these missionaries taught and talked with people EVERYwhere they went. That is why we do that now as full-time missionaries…we talk to everyone we see – on the streets, at the gas station, or in the grocery store line. It is really hard to do sometimes, to open our mouths and speak up, but I know that we are blessed when we do that. The same is true for all of you who aren't full-time missionaries! We can all open our mouths in any situation to share the Gospel. I know that when we pray for missionary opportunities, God will bless us and help us do that.

In D&C 88:81 we learn: "Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." So because we have been blessed and been warned, it is now our duty to warn our neighbors.

I love my mission. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it is true.

Have a great week! I love you guys!!!

Love,

Elder Todd