Elder Richardson is going home. :(

April 14, 2010 Hey guys! :) I have some sad news :( After surgeries and IV's and much time in the hospital, President Smith decided (and the Authorities in Salt Lake) that it would be best to send Elder Richardson home to heal up there with his family. He is improving rapidly, but he won't be able to do any missionary work for weeks. PLUS he is scheduled to be released from Missionary Service on the 29th of April anyway- so they aren't cutting his mission too short - only a couple weeks. It's still sad- we've been packing all night and morning. :( Tonight we'll be going out to Dinner with President and Sister Smith for some final 'thank yous' and 'goodbyes' and then tomorrow morning Elder Richardson will be flying back home to Amarillo Texas. :( It's so bittersweet- I'm excited for him to see his family and take a well needed rest - but at the same time it's hard to see him go! He definitely left his footprints here in New York City and he will be missed!! On the brighter side of things, all the Elders in my apartment (Elders Richardson, Fox, Bayard and myself) are going to... A YANKEE GAME!! WOOT!! HA! At least Elder Richardson will go out with a bang! We're so excited! We have great seats and it's sunny and warm and it's gonna be GREAT!! (Nobody tell Elder Armknecht that I'm going- especially that we're sitting on the Yankee's side! hehehe) (No but you can tell him it'll be funny hehe) I'll take pictures and pretend all of you are here with me screaming! Woooot!!! We have another Baptism coming up! It's this coming Sunday! His name is Mariano and he's so awesome!!! It's so sad that Elder Richardson won't be here for it - Him and I have spent really good times with him, teaching him and getting him ready for baptism- but we're gonna take pictures and send them to him! I'm not sure what's going to happen with ME or my area for the next 2 weeks until transfers when I get a new companion!! I'm nervous! There are several things that COULD happen. I could get into a tri-panionship with a companionship here in my district and we could work BOTH their area AND my area, or I could get a NEW companion earlier than transfers! I'm so curious to know!! ahhh!! Thank you for all your love and support from back home- sorry time is a little short today- but I love you all and miss you!! This Church is true! I love this Work and the incredible opportunity I have to be a part of it! B safe B strong B happy!! Always, Elder Hellberg