June 10: Answer to prayers

Nyob zoo os,

Tuesday and Wednesday we had exchanges. I was in the Hmong area with Elder Desmond. We decided to go get some Hmong food at a big Hmong store called Phongsovan. We also brought along a couple of Elders to go out to eat with us. We got some Eggrolls which were pretty good. Afterwards, we walked around the store talking to some Hmong people. It is a really huge store so there are a ton of Hmong people. One lady we talked to was super nice. She was just so friendly and outgoing. Most Hmong people are a little more reserved and to them themselves, but she was quite the opposite. She was just impressed that I could speak Hmong and she just loved talking to me in Hmong. It was really fun. She even gave me a Xauv (Hmong necklace) for free since I can speak Hmong. Later on, we came back to her and I asked if she knew how to give Hmong names and of course she did. So we got 3 English Elders Hmong names, she gave them necklaces too, and we got a picture with her. Welcome to the Hmong family Tsim Nuj, Muaj Meej, and Muaj Koob. 

Wednesday afternoon we exchanged back. Elder Lamb and I finally got back with one of the people we are teaching named Ee. We taught her about the Book of Mormon. We gave it to her and committed her to read it. I really think she will read it. She expressed some of her desires in the lesson that she wants to be able to find increased happiness in her life, build a stronger relationship with her Heavenly Father, and overcome some her struggles that she has been going through. I know the Book of Mormon will help her with all of those. We are excited to continue to teach her. 

Friday we had MLC meeting up in Oshkosh. It was a really good meeting. President and Sister Williams have less than 3 weeks left until they are going home. The mission put together a really cool gift for them. A tree that every individual leaf is one of the 500 missionaries that have served under President and Sister Williams. I'll post a picture below because it is really cool! 

Saturday I was on exchanges with Elder Lundahl out of my area, but Elder Lamb and Elder Gibson had a really cool miracle with a guy named Vince that Elder Lamb and I knocked into him a few weeks ago. When we knocked on the door he opened the window and right when we got done introducing ourselves he said "I can't talk now but come back!" Over the past few weeks we haven't been able to get in because of his schedule and ours and it was a big mess up until Saturday when Elder Lamb stopped by again. They stopped by his house and when they started talking to him he sat them down and this was the sum up of the conversation, he said "my life isn't where I want it to be, I'm a little lost and don't know what to do and you guys have what I want. I've heard crazy things about the Book of Mormon and I've heard good things about the book of Mormon but I want to know it for myself so you guys are going to come teach me every week!" Even crazier he said how he prayed to God for guidance and direction in his life and that same day was the first time we met him. A week or so later he prayed again and that same day we stopped by, but because his sister was having a party we weren't able to meet with him, so he knows that we are the answer to his prayers and he knows that is no coincidence so he is sincerely wanting to know what our message is. We are super excited! 

Love, 

Elder Rich  

Gift for President and Sister Williams and my name

Elder Pinter

Rap snacks

Lazy man's dinner

Matching Bucks Playoffs sweatshirts.  Fear da Deer

June 3: Never drinking soda ever again

Nyob zoo os, 

Wednesday was Zone Conference and it was President and Sister Williams last zone conference since they will both be ending their missions and going home at the end of this month. It is really sad they are going home because they have been an awesome mission president and wife and I am going to miss them a lot. We had a wonderful conference. We have a tradition in our mission (I don't know if other missions do it as well) but your last transfer you bear your testimony at Zone Conference. Since it was their last transfer, they both bore their farewell testimonies. It was really cool to hear their testimonies of the Savior and the church. Their testimonies are so strong. It was also really cool to hear about their testimonies of their current mission as well as their previous missions and the blessing they have seen from those missions almost 40 years later. One thing that I really loved that President Williams said was, 

"You will see your mission through the eyes of your children, you will see your mission through the eyes of your grandchildren."

This week was a lot of finding. We have had some pretty good success getting times to come back, but them actually being home on the time they gave us has been a struggle haha. This week we did go finding in this one neighborhood and it was cool because on 2 streets back to back were just all Hmong people. Almost all of them where Hmong so around like 20-30 houses and since it's summer lots of people were outside so we were able to just walk around and talk to people instead of knocking doors which was fun since you never have that opportunity in Hmong work really. Those short glimpses of what Hmongland or the country of Hmong would be if there was such a place or such a mission - one can always dream. 

It's really weird that my mission is slowly winding down. I felt like I just got out here to Wisconsin to be a missionary, but it is also kicking in that I have been out here away from home for 22 months. Missions are amazing and the best decision anyone can make for his/her life. It is honestly the best investment of time & money that you can put into yourself compared to anything else. Nothing is going to help you to learn more, be more, and do more and it is all because of the Savior and his atonement that allows us to be better every day. 

"May we enjoy the peace and rejoicing that the sacrifice...and the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ can provide... every time we have the opportunity to live ONE MORE DAY." - Elder Taylor G. Godoy

Love, 

Elder Rich 

My district on our way to tour the Sprecher's factory

They had an 8 oz glass they gave you and you could get as many cups or flavors 
as you wanted. I wanted to try all 9 flavors so I drank 9 8oz glasses of soda.

This is the end!

Only me and 1 other kid, Elder Desmond, drank that much.
We said it was our goal to do it so we did.  It was terrible though!

Tues May 28: Foreign mission for a day!

Nyob zoo os,

This week we tracted a lot in the ghetto and the best part is we are almost out of miles in our car so we got to walk around everywhere. I've been in the ghetto a lot of times, but this week I think we were in the most ghetto of all the places I have been in my entire life. I enjoy walking the ghettos. You experience so many funny people and have some of the weirdest conversations - probably because everyone is completely high or completely wasted or most likely both. Good thing for the word of wisdom! 

If I wasn't a missionary I would probably be scared out of mind to be walking through parts of this city, but as a missionary, I really have no fears because one, I trust that God will watch over us and two, all the people love us. We are like celebrities in the hood. We just smile and wave and have no worries on our faces at all because we are as they say "The Jesus People."

A funny experience this week was that we just arrived to a new area and in our car we said a prayer and no kidding in the middle of the prayer we hear 6 gunshots so I opened my eyes looked around and saw nothing and then went back to my prayer and said "please protect us and watch over us." Good ol' Milwaukee. 

This week the highlight is that we had the opportunity to go down to Oshkosh for the Hmong tournament held there. All, but 1 of the Hmong Elders was able to go! I love the Hmong brotherhood! It's cool to see how close we have all gotten in the last 22 months. We are super good friends which is fun and a great blessing because there is no such thing as a bad companion for us in Hmong work. 

At the tournament, there were so many Hmong people. We got a brief glimpse of a foreign mission of being to street contact and talk to so many people. It was legit! Other than that we ran into a few members from some of my past areas, we walked around the merchandise booths to find souvenirs, got sunburned really bad, and even had an experience were Elder Parker and I were video recorded with a legit video recording camera. He walks over to us and it was like an interview that you see on the news. Just asking us all these questions in Hmong. It was pretty cool! So maybe we will be famous on YouTube or something someday haha. 

The funniest thing that happened at the tournament was a mother was walking with her kids and she sees us in our white shirts and ties and tells her kids these white guys know how to speak Hmong. She then speaks Hmong to us and we speak back and her kids were just mind blown. Her kids then wanted to take a picture with us. I wish I had it because it was super funny, but at least I have the memory of being a famous celebrity for 30 seconds. 

Monday we had interviews with our Mission President which is why my P-day is today. Anyways this is President and Sister Williams last transfer before they go home so Elder Lamb and I thought it would be super cool to make him Pho! So we did that and not to be prideful or anything, but he said it was one the best bowls of pho he has ever had, if not the best. So... Yeah it was pretty good haha. 

It was a great last interview and last way to show our gratitude for all that President and Sister Williams have done for us these past 22 months because it really has been a wonderful past 22 months and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Love, 

Elder Rich 

Making President Williams Pho

Hmong elders at the Hmong tournament

totally soaked

Pretty Wisconsin

Picture with my district before transfers

May 20: Mission tour with Elder Soares

Nyob zoo os,

This week is transfers and Elder Lamb and I will be staying another one in Milwaukee. Pretty excited because we are getting stuff done and having a good time. I'm excited for these last 2 transfers. 

This week we found a new investigator who I am very excited about. Her name is Eena who is a 25-year-old young mother of 3 kids. The funny thing is the first time I met her when I was on exchanges we did our door approach and she said she wasn't interested and already had a church, but we didn't give up and kept testifying of the blessings of the church and also spoke a little Hmong which opens their hearts too! 

Anyways after that, she was like "well I actually I have been looking for a church and I would be interested in you guys coming back." So we did just that and met with her twice this past week. She is super prepared. We gave her the plan of salvation pamphlet the first time we met her and when we came back she had read the whole thing and had tons of questions that we were able to answer. She is super open, prepared, and sincerely wanting to learn. So that's exciting! 

We also we able to go help a Niam Tais farm this week! It was super fun to get out and help her. She was super grateful because when we pulled up she was making slow progress, but we able to get it done very fast for her. 

The coolest thing about this week was we had Mission Tour. The whole mission came down to Milwaukee. Two of the Hmong sets stayed over at our place the night before at our apartment which was way fun and 8/10 Hmong missionaries were able to go to dinner the night before and ate some Hmong food after the conference. Hmong brotherhood ️

Saturday morning we had mission tour. We had the great opportunity of having all 160 Elders and Sisters in one building, but not only that we were all visited by Elder Ulisses of the quorum of the 12 apostles. We were all able to shake his hand which was awesome and hear him speak. 

He said a lot of things that I really liked. He talked about the process of how missionaries are called and how he has the special opportunity to call the Elders or Sisters. He said it is an amazing experience and testified that every Elder or Sister is called to where THEY need to go and WHO they can influence and not only that but also the mission president that can help them grow the most. I thought that was really cool. 

He also shared about when he was called to meet with President Nelson to become an Apostle. Elder Soares was overwhelmed and said "Why me? There are 1000s more qualified than me. I can't speak the English language very well. Why me?"  President Nelson responded by saying to him "God isn't calling you for who you are now, but who you can become." Elder Soares said he knows he has many weaknesses and isn't the most qualified, but he knows that as he tries his best the Lord will bless him with all the pieces that he currently doesn't have. I thought that was super powerful. 

To end he shared with things that we can do personally to continue to grow and stay active for the rest of our lives. Below is the counsel that Elder Soares said:

1) Live with purpose

2) Study the scriptures

3) Learn how to prioritize your time

4) Attend the temple regularly

5) Remember our temple covenants

6) Serve in the Church

7) Actively serve others who are less-active and guide them back to the Church

8) Do something good

9) Just do all we can do

10) Remember that Heavenly Father called us not necessarily for who we are, but for whom we can become

To end he said, "You all probably thought I was going to give you all tactics and strategies for how to be better missionaries, but I'm not. The best way to share the gospel is through ourselves, the light of Christ that is in us!"

I know this church is true and I know what Elder Soares said is true. The little things we do every day are going to influence who we become and our identity and others will see that in us. It is so important for us all individually to strengthen our testimonies every day, to feast upon the words of Christ, to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior every day through prayer and also by repenting.

Love, 

Elder Rich

Pday haircut

8/10 of us going out to dinner

all 10 Hmong elders at Mission tour

meeting up with my trainer and his fiancee last week

May 13: Go Bucks!

Nyob zoo os,

Monday was P-day and was a fun P-day. Elder Lamb and I made Pho for our whole zone. It actually turned out really, really good - surprising for 2 miskas (white boys) haha. 

Tuesday I had the wonderful opportunity to serve with my first companion aka my twin Elder Devyn Vang. That was a blast. I haven't been able to serve with him in over a year and a half. It was good to catch up and serve together again. Lots of good memories and experiences we were able to talk about. I served in his area which is the AP area. So I got to really see what the life of an AP is for a day. Super busy and lots of phone calls and logistical things. It was really good though. We also ate at Zupas which I haven't had since back home. Good food! Best of all we got to visit a recent convert family from Green Bay who was in Milwaukee. 

The work is moving forward in Milwaukee Wisconsin. This week we had a lot of time to get out and work. It was good to be able to grind again without any other things to worry about or do! We were able to meet some cool people and we are hoping to get in with them this upcoming week! 

Another cool experience is I was able to see my trainer! He came back to visit and even cooler he came back with his fiancee. We were able to meet up for a little and catch up which was super fun since it has been so long! 

Sunday was mother's day! We had a great sacrament meeting and Elders quorum about mothers. In Elder Quorum, we went around and everyone shared something that they are grateful for or learned from their mothers. That was very powerful to not only hear but to also reflect on my life and all that my mother has done for me as well as the other amazing women in my life. For me, the closest comparison of the Savior's love for us is the love of a mother to her child. I think that is exactly why in the scriptures it compares a mother to the Savior's atonement and sacrifice on the cross. It says, 

15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

The love of the Savior is something that we can't fully comprehend. A mother's love, their selfless love for their kids giving everything and more to them is the closest comparison we can make. What a wonderful compliment to mothers and women. I know my mom loves me and her Christ-like love that she has for me helped me to feel the love and more fully comprehend all that my Savior has for me. Thank you, mom and thanks to all the wonderful women in my life. 

Love, 

Elder Rich

Splits with Elder Vang

Spring is finally here

Making Pho at the church last P-day

Elder Pinera's bday

We went to the Bucks' stadium today for P-day

Go Bucks!

May 6: Birthday week, 100 days left

Nyob zoo,

To start off the week it was my birthday on Tuesday. It was also another Elder in my districts birthday as well, Elder Isaacson, so we got to celebrate together. Funny thing is last year we were in the same zone so we celebrated our birthdays together. I don't know what the odds of that are, but I'm guessing like 1%. Anyway, we went to Bdubs as a district. Got some wings and of course, the Elders wouldn't let us get away without being sung to, so the whole restaurant knew it was our birthday. It was worth it though because they gave us ice cream and a bottle of wing sauce for our birthday. Later that day we had correlation meeting. Our awesome ward mission leader's wife, Sister Murphy, made one of my favorite treats for my birthday - Raspberry brownies and they were wayyy good.

We also had 2 exchanges this week as usual. One of them, I went to Port Washington with Elder Jackson and the other I stayed in the Hmong area with Elder Lundahl. I love exchanges so of course, it was a good time. 

I'm continuing to learn the other Hmong dialect, Green Moob. I'm picking it up pretty fast and had some opportunities with some Nam Tais (Grandmas) to talk and learn Green Moob. It was pretty cool because she said I was the first missionary she's ever met that is trying to learn Green Moob. That was a cool compliment since I have been working really hard to learn it. I've been writing down all the differences and have a notebook filled with notes. I think I have figured out 97% of the differences so all I have to do is continue to improve in speaking it and understanding a little better. Pretty fun! 

This week I had the opportunity to go to MLC for the first time. It was a great meeting on talking about how the mission is doing, what we can improve on, and goal setting for this upcoming month. It was fun to see some missionaries again and learn some ways I can improve. Something that President Williams told us is that "You can accomplish more and influence people more than you think!" I liked that a lot.

Something sad this week is that I now have less than 100 days left till I head home. Time has just flown by and seems to get faster every single week. I have loved being a missionary and am super excited for this last stretch I have to continue to serve. The longer I get out the more I love to do the things that I used to not love as much. I'm just grateful for every day I have left to serve and I'm loving every minute of it. 

Love, 

Elder Rich

My birthday with my district

raspberry brownies with Elder Isaacson

Bdubs

MLC with Elder Lamb and my first
companion in Madison, Elder Vang

Yes I do!

April 29: Exchanges for days

This week went by really fast and part of that was because it was 1 less day to pday and also because we were super busy. 

Wednesday afternoon we exchanged with the Lake Michigan Elders. I went with Elder Winborg in his area. He is the nicest guy ever. Super fun to serve with him for a day.

Thursday afternoon we exchanged back and we went straight to a lesson with Avarploy and Don. We had a great discussion on the Plan of Salvation and somehow in that discussion we got to the topic of baptism and Avarploy out of nowhere say "I want to be baptized." So we are prepping her and helping her to get ready to be baptized, so that is super exciting.

Thursday night we exchanged with the Parkway Elders. I again left the area and went with Elder Pisciotta. He wasn't feeling good so a lot of our exchange we were stuck inside the apartment which was a bummer, but I took advantage of the time that I had and taught myself a lot of the other Hmong dialect, Moob leeg (Green Hmong). I put together a pretty decent list of changes between the dialects. I have been practicing speaking it for a few weeks now and I am picking it up super fast which is really fun. I am even teaching Elder Lamb some as well which is really fun. The next day we were able to go for a few hours and help a family move. They were non-members so that was a great opportunity.

Friday night we exchanged back, we were planning on exchanging with the APs and I was going to be going in the area, but it got rescheduled which was probably good so I could spend more than one day in my own area for the week haha. Elder Lamb and I were curious and out of all the 42 days the transfer, we only have 19 full days of work that we are actually together. The rest are exchanges, meetings, church, etc. Pretty crazy.

Sunday we had church and after we had a great opportunity to teach a guy named Lue. He shared with us his conversion story and after we shared him ours. It worked out perfect that we were at the church. A YSA aged member was there and overheard our conversation and asked if he could share his testimony. It was such a simple, but powerful testimony. It brought the spirit in so strong. After Lue asked us for a Book of Mormon and said he wanted to read it. It was super cool.

This week we had a lesson on trials in Priesthood. I thought it was super cool. We read the talk "Wounded" by Niel L. Anderson. In it, there was a part that I really liked. It said: 

"Along with the bright colors of happiness and joy, the darker-colored threads of trial and tragedy are woven deeply into the fabric of our Father’s plan. These struggles, although difficult, often become our greatest teachers."

I think this is very powerful and true. We all have trials in our lives. They are part of the great plan. In the moment we may not understand why, but these are all for our growth and sources for us to learn from. I remember all the hard times in my life and all the things that I learned from those experiences. It's important to remember that and also to always rely on the Savior during those times so that he can help and support us. 

Love, 

Elder Rich 

Last week we went to the Milwaukee art museum

Me and Elder Peck were dying the whole time taking pics. 

Making fun of the dumb and weird art, but some art was really cool.

Elder Peck

Pictures around Milwaukee

Cool alley in Milwaukee downtown area

April 23: Kinda Phởed out - for now!

Nyob zoo os,

Wow, this week a lot happened. I had the opportunity to go on 2 exchanges with 2 missionaries in the zone. Both times I was in the Hmong area which was fun to be the only one able to speak Hmong and being with the English missionaries because they think Hmong people, culture, and language are really cool. So that is really fun doing exchanges with them. A part of the Hmong culture is giving names and "adopting" people into their clan. So, for example, I was adopted into the Tsab clan so I'm "a part" of their family. I had the opportunity to talk to a Hmong grandma and get a Hmong name and clan for Elder Dickinson but wasn't able to get one for Elder Conlin. I have a big list of missionaries that want one in the zone so we will see what we can do haha! 

Also one of the cool things that I learned is that Elder Dickinson family has only been members for 18 years. Missionaries knocked on his door when he was a baby, his family was baptized, and now he is on his mission. Really cool! 

Saturday we had the opportunity to go down to Appleton again for a baptism for a family of 6 that Elder Lamb worked with, so lucky for me I got to tag along again! It was amazing! A whole Hmong family of 6 was baptized and they are super awesome. Last month when I went up for the other baptism with Elder Taylor I visited them. It was cool to hear their testimonies. They were Shaman before and they said that "the gospel has changed their life." Super cool! After the baptism, we had some bomb Hmong food and got to talk to some members and hang out with Elder Lo and Carlson which was a blast! 

Afterward, we went to a Hmong wedding of a Hmong member and ate some more Hmong food! 

Afterward, we went go the Vangs and they taught us how to make Phở, so now I have a recipe to try out. I had 2 bowls that day and it was so good. I also had 2 bowls the next day too! So much Phở. Kinda Phoed out :/ Cool thing is they are going to teach us how to make something every Saturday. I am pumped! 

Next day was Sunday and we had a great Sacrament meeting on the Atonement. It was really powerful and great to hear others' testimonies of the Atonement and ponder what the Atonement means to me as well. We also had the opportunity to sing in sacrament with the Vang family. We sang 'Peace in Christ' and that song is a really powerful song. That day I actually had the opportunity to work with Elder Lamb in our area which was good since we weren't together like the whole week! You would think the Hmong people that practice Shamanism wouldn't celebrate Easter, but they do haha. I guess it's an excuse to get together, eat food, and drink alcohol! They even put out Easter eggs for their kids to find, but sadly I guess they don't know what the true meaning of Easter is. 

Monday we had interviews which is why my P-day is today. Had a great interview with President. We had a great discussion on the Atonement. He said something that I really liked he said, "Never judge yourself in the past with your testimony and conversion that you have today." I think that is so powerful that as we go further on the Covenant path we will become more righteous and our testimonies will become even stronger. Things that we didn't think we did were bad in the past we may now realize is not good, but we shouldn't judge our past selves with what we know today. We can always repent and become better. That's the amazing thing about the gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Love, 

Elder Rich 

Baptism in Appleton

Hmong elder selfie

Lotus flower cookie - a Hmong treat

exchanges with Elder Dickinson

April 15: Hello from Milwaukee

Nyob zoo,

I finally made it down to Milwaukee. I have been really enjoying it down here besides the fact that it has snowed 3 times this week. I was so certain that spring was finally here that I sent all my winter clothes home on Tuesday before I came down to Milwaukee. Pretty funny!

Coming down to Milwaukee I was thrown into the fire really fast. Thursday we woke up at 5 to take a missionary to the airport and once we got back I was told that we had to prepare for our 50 min training that we would be doing in Zone Conference the next day! So we prepared that training and the next day was Zone Conference which I was asked to conduct the meeting which was fun/scary at the same time. Our training ended up going really well which was good for the limited time we had to prepare for it! After Zone Conference, we went to an old favorite, Kopps, which has some of the best ice cream I have ever had.

Saturday we planned out the rest of the things we need to do for this upcoming transfer and let me say it is going to be really busy. This past week has been the fastest, but also seems like the longest week of my mission. We have had so many things to prepare for, phone calls, logistics, and other things we have had to do. It has felt like we haven't really been doing missionary work this past week just because of how different it has been, but it should be better this upcoming week when we have more time. We only had about 10 hours that we were able to go out and do stuff this week so next week should be good since most of the planning is out of the way. 

Even though we were limited in time, we were still blessed with success in our finding and teaching. I think that it is really cool that no matter what our circumstances are or what we are going through, God will still bless us for our hard work, diligence, and desire to do his work and follow him. We were able to set a person we are teaching on baptism date named Treivy, but passed him off to the YSA Sisters and as well were able to find some really cool potentials that hopefully we will be able to get with this upcoming week. 

A really interesting thing that happened this week that I've never experienced before was that we met a guy who was speaking something called striped Hmong. Basically what it was is the 2 dialects white and green Hmong mixed. I had never heard that before. It was really odd to listen to. To kinda explain what I mean, one sentence he would use the White Hmong word 'poj niam' meaning wife and the next sentence he would use the Green Hmong word 'quas puj' meaning wife, white Hmong 'thiaj li' or 'txhaj le', 'tuab neeg' or 'tib neeg' etc. It was funny because it sounded like he couldn't make up his mind on what dialect he was trying to speak so he was mixing back and forth the whole conversation. I guess an example you guys could probably understand is if someone was going back and forth between an American accent and a British accent. Obviously, that's not exactly the same, but a good example. 

Spiritual thought this week which I am actually going to steal from my companion because it thought it was really cool. He was reading in the Bible about Jesus Christ's last week because of the Easter Season. One of the things that Jesus did that last week was cleansed the temple. And the part that is thought was cool that he compared that with 1 Corinthians 3:16 which says: 

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Just like Jesus Christ cleansed the temple and got rid of the things that didn't fit the holiness and the sacredness of the temple.  It is interesting to compare that to our body or our "temple." If Jesus came to us what would he take out of our body to cleanse our temple? Whether it is things temporal or spiritual it is a good way to reflect on our bodies and how we treat them and the importance to strive to make our body holy just like the temple. 

Love, 

Elder Rich

Saying bye to come families in Green Bay.
This is the Niam tais who made the ties

This is her sister

The other family is Ci ntsa tshiab. Alvinia and Karden who we were teaching.

Stil making snow angels

My new companion Elder Lamb