Run Away Horses

Dear Children and Grandchildren,
 
I typed up one of Grandpa's childhood experiences for Adrianne and wanted to share it with you.
 
Love,
Mom, Grandma Richardson
 

RUN AWAY HORSES

 

On the farm we used horses to do the cultivating, plowing, etc., and we learned quite early how to handle a team at most of the farm jobs.  One summer, however, we got our first tractor, a small second-hand "John Deere."  We used it just enough that our horses decided they didn't like to work so well, and whenever we harnessed them their cooperation level was quite low.  One young horse whom we called Dock seemed especially rowdy and was sometimes a little difficult to manage.  Within a period of about a month when I was about twelve I had three run-aways with these horses and narrowly escaped serious injury or being dragged to death. 

 

One day I was driving the team of Dock and Bird, cutting hay in the field above the house.  Something happened to frighten Dock and he started running.  In trying to control him, I broke one of the reins and so had to jump off the mower to escape injury as the runaway team headed for the field gate with the mower bouncing along behind them.  As they hit the closed gate, harnesses, mowing machine and wire became broken and tangled, the horses fortunately receiving only slight injuries.

 

A couple of days later, the hat cutting having been completed by a borrowed mowed pulled by the tractor; the hay was ready to be raked.  Daddy felt the horses should be worked again to keep them disciplined properly and so again I was the driver with Dock and Bird hitched to the dump rake.  After only a short time Dock started acting up again, and stepped on the tongue of the rake and broke it.  Of course this frightened the horses again and they started to run.  By all physical laws, I should have been thrown forward form my seat atop the rake when the tongue broke, and then raked to death, but somehow I managed to fall of behind the rake as the runaway began again. Well, again the horses were stopped with no serious injuries.

 

Daddy was still determined to work those horses, and decided to hitch them up to the heavy old hay baler, thinking they couldn't run away with that and guess who was the driver.  I felt that I was spookier than the horses by now, but dutifully6 took the reins, and for the third time in a week was trying to control a team of horses trying to run away.  Only with the help of Daddy and Erin running alongside was another serious accident avoided.

 

That night Mother said, "Jay,  you must be careful.  The devil is trying to get you."  I was frightened enough to be careful and didn't drive these horses much more.

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Miracles happening at the LA Temple

Dear Children and Grandchildren,
 
Dad (Grandpa) and I wanted to share this e-mail with you.  We hope you will take time to read and ponder it.  We need to always stand for righteousness wherever we are and help further the Lord's work. 
 
Love,
 
Mom and Dad, Granddad and Grandmother Richardson

 

 

 

 An account of what was going on inside the L.A. temple during all the riots.

 

> This was sent by a person who works at the=2 0LA Temple. What an > incredible story! It is so relieving to hear "our side" of what has > been happening the last few weeks... > > My dear family, brothers and sisters, friends and leaders: > > My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to our Heavenly Father > for His tender mercies and mighty miracles in our behalf. I just have to > share this with you. As most of you know, I am a Temple ordinance worker > and work the morning shift in the LA Temple every Saturday. Today, I had > the priviledge of translating sister Martz-the new assistant > Matron's-message during our devotional. > She started like this "The prophet Joseph Smith said that no unhallowed > hand would be able to stop this Work from progressing. These past few > weeks when mobs have combined and armies have gathered against the > saints, the Lord has protected His house". She went on to say that > those, like her, who were inside the Temple when mobs were surrounding > it, did not realize how scary and terrifying this looked on TV to the > rest of us, because inside the House of the Lord all was calm and there > was peace abundant. After Proposition 8 passed, the Temple began > receiving threatening calls and mail from those opposing it. They were > warned that more than 5000 people would come to the Temple and burn it > to the ground, and sto p Its work. The first Thursday when the mob came, > the new LA Temple President called the Salt Lake City Temple Offices for > instructions. He was instructed to call the local police and to insure > the safety of those attending the Temple by closing the gates. The > assistant Matron said today, that it was a tender mercy from the Lord > that the mob chose that Thursday to come since they had only one person > coming to receive his own endowment that day, which he received in time > to leave before trouble started. The LAPD and the FBI responded quickly > to the Temple Presidency's summons and patroled the grounds and kept the > mob from entering the same. Most of them had never been there before and > expressed their surprise at how beautiful and peaceful all around was. > They were invited to come back during the Christmas season to see the > lights and they promised they would. On Thursday, November 13th, sister > Campbell, a secretary in the Temple, was opening the mail and upon > opening a large manila envelope found inside a smaller one. When she > opened this one, a white powder flew all around her desk. She thought > this could be related to the demonstrators and feared the worst-ANTRAX. > She contacted the President, who in turn called the Salt Lake City > Temple office again for instructions. The FBI, the LAPD, and even the > ; SWAT teams were once again in the grounds to investigate, and the Temple > once again had to close from around 11:30 AM to 5PM. They closed the > gates and were instructed to keep all the people there wherever they > were found at the time. Those in the parking lot had to remain in the > parking lot. Those entering the Temple had to remain in the first floor > and those already upstairs were taken to the Celestial Room. Then, the > miracles began to happen: A brother serving as a recorder that day is a > Microbiologist by profession and used to deal with hazardous substances > every day. He was the first to say the white powder in the envelope was > only talc, and put every one at ease. Then the sister coordinator > upstairs was impressed to call upstairs to the sealing area, and said > "They said we can't go down but no one said we can't go up, and I have > many people in the Celestial room with their ceremonial clothes on ready > to work. Could they do some sealings?" As it happened, there were four > sealers present that day and they ran four sealing sessions non stop > while the Temple was closed. Downstairs, someone else thought to invite > those in the Lobby to do some initiatories, which they promptly did for > all those hours too, brothers and sisters alike. Among those waiting in > the parking lot there was a large gro up of young men and women with > their leaders who had come to do Baptisms for the dead, and who waited > patiently all those hours and decided when the Temple was reopened to go > ahead and fulfill their assignment instead of driving back home. The > Temple reopened in time for the 5:30 PM session. The next day when > recording the ordinances, they discovered that they had performed 2000 > sacred ordinances on Thursday, only one less than the day before when > three stakes had been visiting the Temple. Once again the assistant > matron reminded us of the words of the prophet Joseph Smith, "No > unhallowed hand can stop the Work from progressing...". But, this is not > all, a prophecy was fulfilled also. When the new LA Temple President was > set apart by President Uchdorft of the First Presidency, he received a > blessing and these words were pronounced: " The time has come for the LA > Temple to come out of obscurity and become an Ensign for Righteousness > to the world under your presidency." The pictures of the Temple have > been shown on TV, newspapers and the internet, not only in this country > but worldwide. People of other faiths have called and sent letters to > the Temple thanking the Church for defending marriage and protecting the > family, and commenting how impressed they are by how beautiful and > majestic the Temple looks . One minister of an African American church, > who by his own admission had harbored ill feelings against the mormons > before said " I am impressed by your integrity and Christ like behavior, > and even if I am not ready to consider you my brothers and sisters in > Christ, we can be first cousins!". I asked the assistant matron if I > could share her comments and she said to go ahead. I can only add my own > testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints > has the power and authority of God on earth. God Lives and Jesus, His > only Begotten Son and our Savior is coming soon to redeem His people. I > am grateful to know this and I pray we stand firm, steadfast and > immobile while the prophecies of the signs before His Coming are > fulfilled. "Be not afraid, only believe" He has said, and also " What I > the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though > the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but > shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my > servants, it is the same." I testify that this is true and testify it in > the Holy Name of Whom I strive to serve, even Jesus Christ. Be faithful > and safe is my humble prayer. Your sister in Christ, Patricia H. Arnazzi > > > > > > > > > > NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended > recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. > Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. > If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by > reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. > > Get more done, have more fun, and stay more connected with Windows Mobile®. See how.

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I Will Come Unto Christ

Dear Children,
 
I like this poem and wanted to share it as we plan our family trip to Israel.
Love,
Mom Richardson
 
I WILL COME UNTO CHRIST
 
 
I will come unto Christ who calls to me
As others were called by that ancient sea,
Whose shores He walked in Galilee
When once he taught the blind to see,
The ones who were blind like me.
I will look unto Christ—let come what may—
In all that I do and in all I say.
For He's the Potter, I the clay,
And I will serve Him day by day,
And walk in His narrow way.
I will sing the dear Lord's redeeming song
Of infinite love for the human throng,
Of blood and tears shed for each wrong,
Of hope made bright for all who long
To sing His redeeming song.
I will honor the Father's Holy One,
Redeemer of stars and of moon and sun—
Of kingdoms, glories He has won
For great and small when judgment's done—
All praise the Beloved Son. 
                     Rodney Turner
 
           

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Israel Education

Some more locations to know about:
 
Armageddon
Armageddon is a Hebrew term found in scripture thought to refer to "Har Megido," or the "Mountain of Megiddo." The Valley of Megiddo, situated next to this mountain, is a location in the Holy Land situated approximately 50 miles north of Jerusalem. During Old Testament times, the valley of Megiddo was "the scene of violent and crucial battles" (Bible Dictionary), and prophecy foretells of the battle of Armageddon in the last days as the great and final conflict between forces of good and evil that takes place at the second coming of the Lord. Modern-day revelation confirms this battle will take place in the Valley of Megiddo.
 
Jezreel Valley
The Jezreel Valley is a large plain south of the Lower Galilee region of Israel. The phrase "Jezreel Valley" usually refers to the central part of the valley, around the city of Jezreel, while the southwestern portion is known as the valley of Megiddo (see above entry about Armagdeddon). Many Biblical events happened in this valley, including many battles involving the Israelites and Egyptians, Philistines, Midianites, Amalekites and others.  The city of Afula in the Jezreel Valley has archeological evidence of near-continuous settlement for over 5 thousand years. Today the Jezreel Valley is green and fertile, covered with fields of wheat and barley, and grazing tracts for sheep and goats. 
 
Coming soon: Nazareth
 
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melvinrichardson@hotmail.com

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Gentle Thoughts for Today

I thought you might enjoy reading this.
Love,
Lavona

 

Gentle Thoughts for Today--  Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.    When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle. It makes the neighbor's dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself.    A penny saved is a government oversight.  The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.   The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.    The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.     He who hesitates is probably right.  Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are " XL."  If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.    If you can smile when things go wrong , you have someone in mind to blame.    The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.  There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.  Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs."    Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.  The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.  Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.  When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.  You know you are getting old when everything either dries up, or leaks.     One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.  Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.  First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper.  It's worse when you forget to pull it down.  Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft.  Today, it's called golf       Lord,  Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth...AMEN..!!

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Israel Education

I apologize for my tardiness in fulfilling my Israel education assignment!
 
We were assigned several locations and over the next several days we'll send blurbs about each of these locations that we look forward to visiting!
 

Tiberias

Tiberias was a city in the time of Christ, on the Sea of Galilee. It was built around AD 20 by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, to become the capital of his realm in Galilee. It was named in honor of Antipas' patron, the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Tiberias grew in power and influence quickly and at the time of Christ, the Sea of Galilee was often referred to as the Sea of Tiberias because of its influence. Although the Gospels give no definite indication that Jesus ever visited Tiberias, it is likely that he spent much time there as it was a dominant city in the Galilee region, where Christ spent much of his ministry. Peter, Christ's chief apostle, is presumed  to have been from Tiberias.

 

Today, Tiberias remains the dominant city in the Galilee region and an LDS branch exists there, meeting in a remodeled home. Of note, when I was in Israel in 1996, I was invited by one of the BYU leaders to attend the branch meetings there in Tiberias and was able to assist in some Russian translation. There were about 30 members in attendance, with many nationalities represented.

 
 
Mount Arbel

Mount Arbel  is a mountain in The Lower Galileee in Israel. The peak, at 282 meters above sea level (481 meters above the surrounding area), dominates the entire surroundings (much of the area is below sea level) and from the lookout atop the mountain, one can see almost all of the Sea of Galilee region where Jesus' teaching ministry had been accomplished, including Tiberias and most of the the Golan Heights. From an LDS perspective, Mount Arbel is significant as a possible location  for the site of a post-resurrection appearance by Jesus to his apostles: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them." (Matt. 28:16.) This could be Mount Arbel, a high point overlooking the whole valley.

Tomorrow: Armageddon and Jezreel Valley!

 

Melvin and Tami

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melvinrichardson@hotmail.com

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Getting to Know You--Jay and Lavona Richardson

Dear Brother Glazier, (our tour director for our Family Israel Trip)
 
Miriam asked that we send you information so that you can get to know us.  I recently sent my bio to my high school classmates for our 55th high school class reunion so I am sending that along with pictures of Jay and I, our 11 children and us with all of our posterity at our reunion a year ago in Loa, Utah. We have 62 grandchildren with one more on the way and five great grandchildren with three more on the way.  We currently have four grandsons serving full time missions and enjoy their letters and missionary spirit they bring into our home.  Next week we will attend a granddaughter's temple wedding in the Nauvoo temple making our seventh grandchild to have a temple wedding.  Our posterity bring us lots of joy and make like worth living. I grew up in Snowflake, Arizona the fourth child in a family of seven children.  Both Jay and I are twins.  You can read about my activities since High School in the attached document.  I am grateful for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and love to read the scriptures and books written by our church leaders.  We have an extensive church library in our homes.  For many years I had a LDS Bookstore in our home. I love to teach and have taught all the standard works in Gospel Doctrine classes as well as teaching in Relief Society. We feel very blessed that our posterity love the Lord and are living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Jay was born in Virden, New Mexico as the seventh child in a family of nine childen.  He has a twin brother. After graduation from high school Jay went to New Mexico Western College in Silver City, New Mexico on a scholarship. After graduating from college with a major in Biology he was inducted into the army and served from 1954 to 1956 spending most of his time in Texas.  While in the army Jay graduated at the top of his class in Medical Basic and worked with a dentist as a dental assistant.  This helped him decide to go to dental school to become a dentist.  When his army time was completed Jay served a mission in the Western States mission with headquarters in Denver from 1956-1958.  During his mission he was counselor in the Mission Presidency.  After Jay completed his mission he enrolled in Northwestern Dental School in Chicago, Illinois.  We were married at Christmas time during his freshman year.  After receiving his DDS degree we went to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for one year where he worked as a dentist in the federal penitentiary.  We then moved to Arizona where he bought a practice in South Phoenix and later built his own dental office in Tempe, Arizona.  Jay worked as a dentist for 40 years.  Our dental practice was within walking distance of our home so our children could work with their Dad as his dental assistant after school and during the summer.  Jay has served in lots of different areas in the church as a member of the Stake High Council, branch president, counselor in a Bishopric, high priest group leader, ward and stake mission president, gospel doctrine teacher, scoutmaster and deacon's quorum adviser, etc.  He served a mission before we were married and we have served two missions in Indonesia and Nauvoo.  He has been set apart as a missionary seven times in all.
 
In my bio you can read about our marriage and family and our travels.  Jay's hobbies are writing poetry and being with his family.
 
Some of our greatest memories of our lives are our two trips to Israel.  We appreciate you, Stewart Glazier, being our tour guide on our first visit.  Since then we have always wanted to return again and again to the Holy Land and feel our Lord's influences there.  We are looking forward so much to our trip with our family to Israel.  We can't think of any greater gift to celebrate our Golden Wedding than returning to this special place with our loved ones and visiting the places where Jesus lived and established His church, his suffering in Gethsemane, death, resurrection and atoning sacrifice.  Jay has written several poems about Israel and the life of Christ which we look forward to sharing with our childen while we are there.  Thanks for being our tour guide and making this possible for all of us. 
 
Love,
Jay and Lavona Richardson
 
 
 

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More pictures for Richardson Review 11-5-08

Here are some more pictures about our events reported in Richardson Review 11-5-08.  Hope you enjoy.
Love,
Lavona

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FW: Richardson Review 11-5-08

Richardson Review 11-5-08

 

Dear Family,

We have had another great week made special for us by enjoying fun activities with our children and grandchildren.  Last Sunday evening we picked up Kenneth at the airport.  He came to Phoenix to take the Pediatric boards.  Dad gave him a special father's blessing so that he could do his best on this important test that he took all day Monday.  Wednesday evening we enjoyed seeing all of Amy's cute Halloween decorations and watching her carve a Jack-o-lantern.

 

Thursday we traveled to Ohio to be with our Hancock grandchildren and watch all the special performances they had.  Joann picked us up from the Dayton airport and we got home just in time to enjoy their special orange Halloween meal.  Afterwards everyone dressed up to go "trick or treating".  In their community they had it organized for everyone to go out from 6 PM to 8 PM.  It was fun to walk along with them and enjoy the beautiful fall leaves and all the children with their Halloween costumes.  The people were sitting out in chairs in front of their homes to give out the treats.  When we got home the Hancock's had their traditional scary Halloween walk where the children scare the adults and then they made some cute mummies. Friday morning I got to go to kindergarten to tell Preston's class my "Strange Visitor" story.  I came home and told it to Spencer and Levi so they wouldn't be left out.  It was fun this year to all of my younger grandchildren.  I told Melvin and Tami and Kenneth and Jenni's  and Russ and Margie's children the story when they were here earlier in the month. 

 

How fun to have five grandchildren in "Children of Eden".  I loved the cute animal costumes they wore.  Spencer and Preston made such cute porcupines, Levi was a turtle, Janae a peacock and then a wolf and Evan a bird and then an alligator. Spencer was also a penguin. They were so cute in their parts and loved by the high school students.  I was amazed at the beautiful solo voices and the music and harmony by the cast members.  Joann and I went shopping to finish outfitting all of Camille's brothers in dark suits, white shirts and ties for her Nauvoo temple wedding.  I helped to hem them and get them ready to take. 

 

 Wish Kids invited  Evan and all of his family (and Grandma)  Saturday morning to the big Dayton Train Show..  We loved all the trains and different set ups.  I liked the little circus tents, parade and European village all made to scale.  The little boys enjoyed watching the big train set up on the floor and the little train ride. It was a full weekend because I also got to watch Derek perform with the Beavercreek Band in their exhibition at the Mid-States Band Association Companionship after they hosted some smaller schools.  They have a great band of 202 members.  Derek plays the trumpet.  They got new uniforms and wore them for the first time at the Band Show.  Their music was of the theme "Tears for Fears".  I was impressed because they kept moving all the time they were playing and had straight circles and squares. I loved the formations. 

 

Sunday we were able to watch Derek bless the sacrament for the first time.  We didn't want to travel on Sunday so came home early Monday morning.  Monday evening for home evening we had our late Halloween Family party for our Arizona grandchildren.  We had a costume parade, made homemade pizza, carved Jack-o-lanterns, and played games.  Uncle Ray made a cute mummy and I got to tell my "Strange Visitor" Halloween story again.  Dad made a wonderful spectator at some of these events. I worked at the polls all day yesterday helping with the election.  We had a huge turnout.  I am so grateful that the marriage amendment passed but disappointed that Obama won along with a democratic congress.  We will need to do lots of praying these next few years that our leaders will pass good laws and work out our economic problems.  Dad and I are thankful for all of you and the enrichment you give us in our lives.  We hope that you have a great week. 

Love, Mom, Grandma, Lavona

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