Hello, Daddy and Richardson family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are the stinkin best! Dad, thanks for working so hard!!! You are the best dad ever. And thank you, Mom, for your supportive letters! They are not too much, don't worry. It's nice to get mail and hear what's going on.

Lou, we got reprimanded for singing and talking about JB on his bday. Br. Langer (our main language teacher) said blablahblahTagalogblah...don't babble on about babylon...blahTagalogblah. He's fat. I told him to suck a toe in my head. Maybe that's not good missionery attitude... whatever. Sis Wight and i are cool anyway. and i hope i didn't tell you about it already. that'd be embarrassing.

about our investigators... kyle is doing well :) toni is difficult. he's catholic, too, and believes the priesthood was never gone... if there's no apostasy, there's no need for restoration. we're praying to know how to approach this tactfully and directly.

missionary work is TOTALLY different from what i thought!!!! And also the same. but the mtc... i can't explain it. it's great. i have so many friends here. i love everyone. but the other districts in our zone have missionaries w/ disobedience issues and that makes it difficult. we have probably the most social floor of any building of the mtc, which is an ultimate challenge for me when i should be studying--as if i can't distract myself easily enough. and I LOVE PPL! UGH! so hard. but i've been praying for help and ideas to know how to better focus, even when those around me aren't. our district is good, but we could do lots better.
sister aoina had the knee surgery and will be staying behind and flying out with our disctrict (B) and district A instead of her own. They had been here 6 weeks when we got here, so they leave monday and tuesday this coming week. WHOAH. can't believe we're gonna be halfway thru the mtc so soon. i'm kinda pumped just to get out there, but my language still needs insane help. the sentence structure is different from english and the order of nouns doesn't matter, but you have to label them correctly depending on the focus of the sentence. plus, the verb comes first in the sentence and... yikes. lots to think about at once. it can take me more than a few minutes to form a sentence sometimes. not very cool. my taglish is sorta decent, though.

i didn't realize how little spare time i would have, either. i mean, i wrote aaron last week on pday and still haven't gotten it in the mail. what's with that? i guess i knew enough from what craig said a few years ago that i'd have no extra time. i just didn't realize what that would mean.
we're getting better at being on time to things. it's hard with a trio. if anyone forgets anything, we go back. if anyone's slow, we wait. but we all know how fast i am ;)

i've been pretty good about keeping out the things of the world and not worrying about them... except when it comes to movies and music. i quote movies with sis wight all the time and i sing pop music a LOT, especially now that i'm not really sick anymore. alyssa, will you do me a huge favor and send me the rap lyrics to stereohearts? please? i wanna learn it! and i'm gonnna write a zone/district B and A rap! the elders in district A are always rapping lol. it'll be SWEET! i'll send it to you and explain the inside jokes.

i think the food here is preparing me for the philippines bc nothing stays in me for too long. but i'm eating my fruits and veggies like a good sister. maybe my digestive system will need the rice and stuff. rae, how is your trimester going? is it freaking you out to think about college, or is it exciting? lou, how are your classes? how's the work load? joseph, how are the bball moves coming? i saw a guy ally-oop alone by himself while i waited in line for volleyball and it made me think of you :) you'll be doing that on the big hoops in no time! boo, how is school? how's your class? what are you reading?

there's not much time left and i know i prob didn't respond to most of your questions. im sorry. i'll try to be more organized about my answers from now on. still no word on notary public, but i'll look into it. if you haven't sent a package, yet, would you mind maybe slipping in my straightener? i kinda miss it, especially when other sisters make their hair all cute. i planned only for the field. and i didn't realize how many cute clothes would be acceptable here!!! my wardrobe is hideous compared to what i wore at home :D hahah sad but true. so many sisters just wear what i would have worn at home. totally okay here. though most of those things i would send home before i get to the P so they wouldn't get ruined. sad day.

i can't remember anything that i would need from home when i email. i only remember when i actually miss it. so i must be fine. if you haven't been able to send the package yet, don't stress. just follow the Spirit :) i'm doing just fine and i don't wanna stress you out, mom. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw, the robe was brilliant. i use it to get back and forth to the shower. and thank michelle 'cuz my luggage came with the perfect case for toiletries. use it every day. good good stuff. anything i can do for you? mom, i will send you a personal letter here shortly with some mom-only info ;) cause you're just that cool!
i'm technically going over my alotted time to talk to you, so i'd better improve my typing skills. the mtc is hard, but good! learning a language like this is tough. but with faith in the Lord and confidence in my calling and abilities, i know i'll get there. when i come home, i'll speak tagalog more easily than english for a while. i'm excited for that. that is my goal and desire. it won't ever be my first language, but it will be second nature. The Lord provides a way! and volleyball is a great release. laughter is the best medicine. tell me funny stories!

love, kykstumvella, the coolest sister missionary on the block

Mahal kita!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!