drinking out of a coconut


Me and E. Bernards--he went home today! He was so done.

Our Zone: Front E. Nascimento, E. Melo (Cortopraza missão - Temporary Mission), E. Macedo, E. Lopes Back E. B. Anderson, Me, E. Camilo (Mat Snarr knows him as E. F. Silva, shared the same room in the CTM, E. Camilo is my District Leader and looked at my pictures and almost snapped when he saw Mat (Mat is a lifelong friend from Tooele who is serving in the Recife Brazil mission)), E. Bernards, E. Lund, E. Sória, and if you look closely behind Bernards and Lund you see E. Johnson and E. Wesley.


Hello, Hello, Hello!!

You know wearing a backpack all day with your missionary clothes feels like a really weak midget trying to bring you down all day, and just having a collar feels like a really weak guy trying to choke you all day.

I have information for you guys but it’s nothing important just something about a ring and the end of the world, just don’t turn me into anything.....unnatural....
Ok this last week was nuts, we didn’t do much but we saw Michael Jackson, ok a dude dressed like him and he was dancing! Then we saw some cartoons/children’s books of the Bible at a bookstore, they were pretty funny. There was even a pop-up book about the Nativity.

Ok, it is true about bars having one girl and 20 guys! The only way to get guaraná on the go is visit a bar, you only need to be 18 to go in and half of the bars are bakeries as well.

Oh here they have pay phones still and sometimes they ring, so I thought of Kramer when he had almost the same phone number as a movie theater. I thought of the Missão Brasil Ribeirão Preto hotline! Press one for a visit of our representatives, press two for a free pamphlet, press three for a free book, why don’t you just tell me what you want? And I actually answered the phone and ALMOST got the lady's address on the other side but she said to call back, but I don’t have the number so it’s ok.

So this next week will be different, same area, same comp, everything, but we are going to work now! I wrote out some rules and made my comp sign them, like no sleeping during the day, you have to make 15 contacts at least per day etc. I even told him I would be senior comp if that’s what it takes. (Go Taylor!)

Me and Sória in Normal clothes when we got a haircut

We went to the Napoli pizzeria and had, of course, pizza!
(No, this doesn't look like pizza Taylor's mom had in Napoli, but that's okay. It still looks good!)

3 Nephi 5:13 “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” Yeah that’s me.

Hey I have another announcement NEW ADDRESS FOR THE MISSION!!!!!!! Write this on my letters now:

Elder Taylor Cotton Richardson
Missão Brasil Ribeirão Preto
Rua São Sebastião 1003 Centro
Ribeirão Preto SP
Brasil 14015-040

Ok that’s about it just remember you gotta make room for the TUNA!!!!! (For Invader Zim fans.)

Abraço—I am Elder Richardson, Missionary of 6 months currently in Votuporanga, Master Contactor, Speaker of English and I end mine epistle, Amen

Note from the Missionary Mom:

Taylor has had some hard weeks with a companion who didn’t want to work very much. I know he was hoping that one of them would be transferred, but that isn’t what happened. I was really happy when Taylor’s comment to me was “the Lord knows best.” I was glad that he seems to have such a great attitude about it all, and my suggestion to him was to be the example, make sure he follows the rules and then get out and work; take charge if necessary. I know his companion will catch the spirit of the work--perhaps he’s never had anyone show him how to be a good missionary before. Taylor responded by quoting the following scripture to me. I think he has this same kind of faith. He is full of life, enthusiasm for missionary work and love for the Brasilian people. What more could he need? I guess just a companion with the same vision. I’m anxious to see what the next few weeks bring.

Alma 57: 20-27
20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

***

26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

I'm sure Taylor was thrilled when he saw this--for all of you who really know him--he loves the Ramones! You don't think he had a can of spray paint do you???

We have a piper down, I repeat a piper is DOWN!

Hey this last week was again uneventful, you know why? I didn't do anything.... I can´t help it.....it’s my comp. Oh well only one more week!

So I´ll apologize, I´m sorry I don´t have anything interesting to say. I did get a flag of my futébol time! São Paulo!

We saw a car show this last week and a huge Catholic church service.

Wow--the little brothers would love this one!

The favorite?? Perhaps.

We walked a lot, I worked. I just talked to a lot of people, and got told off plenty of times.

You guys need to try Pineapple with cinnamon, it’s super good! Hey my address will change soon, but when I have the new one I´ll let you know!

Just remember Eu sou Batman, que Eu faço, Eu levo coisas na minha cinta, porque Eu sou BATMAN! (I am Batman, I carry things in my belt because I am Batman!) Sometimes you need your own Little Wooden Boy!

Guys I’m sorry again! More will come next transfer!

Oompa loompa doopadee dawesome; Dwight is now gone and that’s totally awesome! Why is he gone, he was such a nice guy! No he was not he was a total douche. Oompa loompa doopadee do! (Reference to "The Office.")

Até mais
Abraço

I am Elder Richardson and I end mine epistle, amen

The moon is made of cheese........
E AI USA!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys what’s up?

Not too much is going on here, it’s a sleepy city....

Favorite drink, Guarana

I found out that Halls (cough drops) are candy here.... talk about abuse of medicines..... some people’s kids.....

Ok I found this chiclet called Baba de Bruxa, which is Drool of the Witch, and Cabeça de Abóbora, which is PUMPKINHEAD!!!!!! For those of you who know what the signifcance of that is, LAUGH!

Ok I’m going to tell you something I miss: I miss being able to put my clothes in a magic box with magic powder and push a button and poof my clothes are clean, then you put them in another magic box and push a button and poof they are dry and ready to use!!!!!

I went to an English school and the teacher thought I didn’t speak Português, but I do speak a lot for 6 months, (well that’s what everyone says) I don’t think so...... anyway, she started speaking in English with me and I naturally responded in Português, and she was like wait you speak Portugês? And I said, yeah, I have 6 months here.... But it was way cool, her students are more advanced, they asked me questions in English and I responded. It was cool then I talked to a newer class and they thought it was way cool.

Here's a picture for my dad. . .

But yeah that’s about it. I don’t remember much else, we kinda worked, we had conference, my mission president is way cool!

I’m super happy and I hope you are too! I love you guys!

Abraço com amor,

Elder Richardson

P.S. I am Elder Richardson, Master of Awesomeness, Speaker of English, Hero of Casmo the English School, Only American in Votuporanga, Comp of Elder Sória and I end mine epistle, Amen.




Any guesses what this is? Think of Taylor, you'll see it. . .

Taylor said this is Elder Carlos, as in Carlos the Dwarf
(a reference from the TV show Freaks and Geeks).
No, not the new companion.
This is for Taylor's brother, Dante.
I am guessing this is Votuporanga.
Nice view!
And for me, my favorite place to eat pizza in Italy was in Napoli (Naples). I hope it's at least close to that great pizza!
Taylor said they haven't eaten there yet, but are planning to--hope it's good!
Taylor's version of Super Missionary. . .
Okay, here's the new companion, Elder Soria.
Thanks for the T-shirt Moni! (BLAB is Bear Lake Aquatics Base, the scout camp where Taylor spent his summers for four years, and loved it!) The Iron Man mask was from one of our recent birthday parties. Didn't want Taylor to miss out!
And this is for Dad--he ate these treats in Argentina--one of his favorite food memories!
Can you see the Woody key chain on Taylor's pack? This looks like a roadside rest stop. . . okay, probably isn't, that's my guess.

GREAT HORNY TOADS!
Nossa Cara Que isso? Então, tudo bem aqui, oh, Eu recebi uma CAIXA!!!! Hahahahhahaha (Hey everyone, everything here is good, oh and I received a box!)

Hey guys what’s going down? Man this last week was nuts, I went on a divisão with Elder B. Anderson, an AMERICAN. It was good for us to get to talk in English for a change, and we amazed some Brasilians... it was way funny.

Ok, we were walking down the street when a HUGE TRUCK came driving by with loud country music, in English, saying “too much of a good thing” then it turned and it had a ton of watermelon or melancia in the back!

I talked to this lady and I asked her what’s your name and she said she didn’t have one!

Everything is going great here, we are happy as can be! Ok I’m going to translate one name for you Mr. Bean, is Senhor Feijão. I thought that was funny!

I got a box this last week and I committed a sin! Ok it’s called that—when you have a futebol time you can’t affiliate yourself with the opposite/rival time, (time is how you say team) (say it TCHEEME). I’m São Paulino and our favorite missionary in Porto Alegre, that’s right Robbie Damewood, is a Corintiano :( BOOOOO! and he can’t get stickers, because it’s a São Paulo Team so I got him some stickers. That’s my sin. Thank goodness for Repentance!!!! Hahahahahha!

I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of summer!

Abraço com amor,
Elder Taylor Richardson

Taylor's new city is Votuporanga--it is the uppermost city shown

Nossa Cara que isso?

Man everyone, it’s hot here! Ok for transfers I got on a bus to go to Ribeirão Preto, then I waited for like 4 hours with a ton of missionaries. I got some letters so thank you! Then I got on another 3-1/2 hour bus ride, then I had to wait at the Rodoviaria (road), for over 5 hours... then I got to Votuporanga.... It was crazy!
We usually ride the bus, I don´t know if they have a people train. I feel like Neil Page.... my comp just talks and talks...it will be good because I can stand anything. (Reference to the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles)

I’m having a good, hard time. Here the local stoner/merchant is my best friend, he told me about how he has a Book of Mormon.

They have a flavor of Ice cream here called Milho Verde, it’s green corn. OHHHHHH MAN there were some cats meowing for like an hour at 3 in the morning! It sucked so bad!

Some guy said to his girlfriend when he saw me Quer Religiâo? So I went and talked to him, he had a girls name, Alison.... hahahahaha! They also have Fat Mannequins here.

My comp is from Rio Grande Do Sul, he is 21 and has a Fianceé. It’s going to be hard this transfer.

I can’t send pictures this week, the computer stinks. I can’t think of much more to say, yo quero Taco Bell, or in português, eu quero Taco Bell.

Abraço

Elder Taylor Richardson

If you want to hear what language Taylor is speaking, click here for a Votuporanga Commercial