Elder Crocodile Hunter

Here is Richard on a little excursion into the Everglades...check out the croc! More importantly, I've included part of his latest letter which speaks for itself. We still miss him and pray for him all the time!


We had the most incredible zone conference this last saturday (it was from 8:30am-1:30pm), great talks, Elder Cox and I were asked to do an example of how to teach the B.O.M. and Prayer (about its truthfulness) and then extend a soft bapt. commitment. Everyone said it was awesome! The ZoneLeader stood up and said "Elder Constantine only has a month out here and he's an amazing missionary." Ha! (No pride attached...) I only have pride because right before Elder Cox and I were having pride between us and we realized it and changed it; that's why it went so well. Okay, then President Reynolds (Prof. of Ancient Script.) gave a training on the Apostasy...Dang! Man I love study. It's so crazy how the gospel really runs the world, and how I now can see just a little small portion of why we need it. And then you think of how Blind and (dumb? Carnally secure? worldly?) people are to not even care and just go about their same ways!
Here is Richards' response to an issue I brought up about a new member who was having a hard time. He thought that after he was baptized that the opposition would end. This is what Richard wrote in response...doesn't he sound spiritually mature? Isn't this a great letter? We love you Richard!



But dude! Ether 12:6 man. Trial of your faith. You said the new member is having trouble? Is he reading every day? Is he still praying to know the truthfulness of the gospel? It's a progression and he's only taken the first step. Let him know that he's not anywhere near over and when he realizes that he needs to keep working-then follows up on it, Satan will have no power. I think some new members believe that they've just crossed the finish line and need to work on holding the title. It's harder to defend than to work and play offence, ya know? Solemente algunas palabras de sabiduria. Espero que pueden ayudarles! Note the espanol lingo there!

Letter from the field

Here's an excerpt from Richards last letter:

I'll admit I'm a little selfish at times and think of myself; how much I'd like to be home and with the people I love! But other times, most of the time, I'm reminded of how much bigger this call is than I can see or understand. How intricate yet simple Christ's gospel is. It's really time for the World to be woken up! There's one way and one goal, so many are heading the wrong way and need just a small push or reminder.

You can already see how much maturity Richard has already experienced.

He's OK now, but....

Elder Richard is OK now, but last week was in a Miami area hospital. When our phone rang around 7:30 AM, I looked over at the caller ID and it read: Florida Call. I knew right away that his meant trouble. The mission President's wife told me that overnight Richard had been admitted to the hospital with what the doctor's thought was appendicitis, and that it would have to come out, but were waiting for the CAT scan results to come in. She assured us he was OK and that she would call as soon as she knew something. She called 30 minutes later...funny how sometimes 30 minutes can feel like an eternity...and said it was gastroenteritus (which Richard said is Greek for "slow, certain death) and that he would be given some antibiotics and sent home. Well, not home, but back to his apartment. Which I guess is home for now. So, I called the hosptial to check for myself, they put me through to his companion, Elder Cox, who said he would be OK, but would I like to talk to him...uhhhh, yeah, OK. So we spoke to Richard for a couple of minutes. He as worn out from no sleep and groggy, but otherwise OK. So, he's back at it and is having some great teaching experiences, both in and out of the hospital. Thanks to all for your concern and prayers.


As you can see from this shot...he seems to be flying high now.