Today, the 10th, we received a letter from Amanda's Mission President, Stephen L. McConkie. (son of Bruce R.) Some quotes from this letter:
" We promise you that as the spirit of missionary work settles upon her, her experience here will be a highlight of her life. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ as a missionary is a special privilege reserved only for a select few. Sister Richards has been recommended as one worthy of such experience by her priesthood leaders and we are honored to have her serve in our mission..... We have spent several wonderful hours together discussing missionary work in our mission with her and believe she has all the potential in the world to be a most marvelous and dedicated servant of the Lord. The next few months will be a great transition time as Sister Richards adjusts to the rigors of missionary life and service. I urge you to join us as we pray for her success and happiness during this training period."

This warm letter came with a pretty cold form letter with the mail and phone policies of the Church and the Mission. I have quoted what I feel are the most important.

"DO NOT WRITE to missionaries at their apartment address because when they are transferred, their mail may not be forwarded properly. Send all mail to the Mission Office using the FULL NAME, as follows:

Sister Amanda Marie Richards
South Carolina Columbia Mission
1345 Garner Lane, Suite 307
Columbia, SC 29210

The mail is forwarded to the missionaries the same or the next day after it has been received in the office. We are aware at all times of the location of the missionaries.
If you send packages any other way than through the Postal Service, these packages cannot be forwarded. Any packages sent any other way must be held at the office until the next zone conference, which could be weeks.

Church policy permits missionaries to call home COLLECT on Christmas and Mother's Day. Please limit these calls to 40 minutes each."

Enclosed with this letter were 3 pictures taken on the day of her arrival in the mission field. I will try to post them as soon as possible.

Dad