Elder Pope Ramone Hits Brazil: February 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Newsflash!

Yes--it was snowing!

Taylor just called and said his visa arrived! He is in a district with seven missionaries and three of them received their visas today. They are leaving Provo and heading to Brazil, with a layover in Georgia, on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. That's only one week after he was supposed to go, so I think he's feeling pretty blessed. There has been an influx of Brazilian missionaries in the Provo MTC--they were all supposed to go directly to Brazil to the CTM there, but visas have been a problem. Some missionaries were there for 2-5 months, so Taylor is happy.

So, if you want to send him something in Provo, you'd better do it soon!

His address at the Brazil CTM is:

Elder Taylor Cotton Richardson
Brazil Ribeirao Preto Mission
Brazil Missionary Training Center
Rua Padre Antonio D'Angelo 121
Casa Verde
02516-040 Sao Paulo SP
Brazil

He will be there for approximatly 2 months. I'll let you know an exact date when I know. After that his address for the mission will be:

Elder Taylor Cotton Richardson
Brazil Ribeirao Preto Mission
Rua Cerqueira Cesar, 481, Sala 606
Centro
14010-130 Ribeirao Preto - SP
Brazil

Thanks!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The First Day

Thank you all for coming on Sunday. What a great crowd! Taylor certainly felt loved--he truly appreciates each of you for your love and concern. It is always wonderful to see so many friends. Thank you!

Today we took Taylor to the MTC in Provo. He was supposed to head straight to Brazil yesterday, but his visa had not arrived, so he was off to Provo. That's okay. He'll have wonderful experiences there.

His address is:

Elder Taylor Cotton Richardson
MTC Mailbox # 360
BRA-RIB 0427
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Taylor was very ready and excited to go. He's planned for this mission for 19 years--yes, even as a newborn! When he was 3 months old, his grandparents left for their first mission together (first of four). And then the other set of grandparents when on a mission, too. He's had cousins and aunts and uncles serve missions all over the world, so being a missionary is in his blood!

Tuesday night we had his final interview with the Stake President and then was set apart as a full-time missionary. What a wonderful blessing and sweet experience.

Thank you to all of his friends for being his friends. You have been good examples and helped him stay on this missionary path. Thank you!

Great Missionary Scriptures

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

I Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son (or, And Corky and Sally said to Taylor their son), Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the serive of the house of the Lord.

D&C 104:82 And inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory.

D&C 84:88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

Alma 31:35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.