Lavona's Lessons

Lavona's Lessons
(read for the tribute to Grandma Richardson at the Richardson Reunion, June 19, 2013)

The time has now come to confess
How our lives have all been blessed
By the sweet lessons taught to us
From our dear mother. They are thus:

A daily record should be kept
Of life's lessons and precepts.
Mom wrote in her journal every day,
Teaching us all this is the way.

Read your scriptures every night--
It will help you choose the right.
She always taught the power you find,
When scripture reading is enshrined.

Every week have family night,
And your clan will e'er be tight.
Gathering round to be together
Will give strength in any weather.

When you’re writing your life blueprint
Make sure that home is filled with music
Voice, piano or on trumpet
Whatever the instrument.

She showed to all of her children,
The importance of serving a mission.
Indonesia, Nauvoo or Temple Square
In Mexico, the gospel to share.

Lifelong education is so important
Don’t let your minds go dormant.
Whether it be at Tempe High
In Israel or at the “Y”.

Whatever the setting or position
At school, church or on a mission,
Taught us we might as well do our best--
Showed us how at America West!

"Remember who you are" was heard
By Mom, with the importance conferred
That more is expected of us.
Our upbringing makes it thus.

The temple is a holy place.
Its importance we must embrace.
Go there often and we will learn
How to heaven we may return.

Most of all, mom taught us well
Her love for us has no parallel.
She gave her all to teach us that
Her family is the most important.

Mom, we love and honor you.
We give thanks for all you do.
You taught us how to find success.
Our lives you have always blessed.

--With love, Vernon and Melvin

Vernon and Connie Richardson Family's Tributes to Grandma Richardson

When I was in 6^th grade, I had a dream of singing in the Phoenix Boys’ Choir.  But to be in the choir, I had to practice in North Phoenix, which had to be 45 minutes each way.  To help me fulfill my dream, mom would drive me all the way there, wait for me for an hour or so and then drive me 45 minutes back at least once during the week and on Saturday mornings.   That commitment to me, especially in the presence of many others that needed that time is a good illustration of my mom focusing on the one, a practice I try to continue today.

The other part of this tribute is to mention mom’s consistency.  Mom has consistently had scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening.  She consistently wrote in her journal.  She knows when she does those things, that we are asking for God to bless us with love and with testimony.  We all know that the gospel and family are the two most important parts of her life and that has made those two things priorities in my life as well.

Mom would be the one who would play board games with us on Sunday nights!

Mom would be the one who would follow up on our school work.  We knew school work was important to her.

Mom would be the one who would follow up on our piano practicing.  We knew music was important to her.

I enjoyed when mom and dad came to my mission and mom could talk to my investigators in Spanish!

I enjoyed spending the day with mom in Fiji!  Beautiful gardens, beautiful beaches, a beautiful for just her and me!

I love you, mom.  Thanks for being my mom. Love, Vernon

One very fond memory I have a Mom Richardson is the time that she helped us when we were trying to adopt twin boys from Boise, Idaho.  She met me in Salt Lake City and then we flew together to Boise.  That was the first and only time I have ever flown First Class!!!  We met the twins at the Boise airport and then flew back with them to Kansas.  What I really was grateful on that trip with the chance to visit with Mom Richardson during the flights and hear her accounting of their experiences with adoptions.  I felt that hearing her retell those stories helped me to understand her and know her better.  I also felt a deeper connection with her later when I had experienced some heart break in adoption proceedings because I knew she had as well. 

I also remember the time when Vernon and I lived in Illinois and I worked to surprise Vernon with a statue of Hyrum and Joseph Smith – a replica of the one at Carthage Jail in Carthage, IL.  She helped me get it and transported it to Illinois to surprise Vernon for his birthday.  Unfortunately, the head of Joseph was broken off, but we gave it to Vernon anyway and then she took it back to Arizona and helped us get it exchanged.  I really appreciated all the extra effort she put in to helping me get a surprise gift for Vernon.  Love, Connie

I remember visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Indonesia while they were on their mission. I remember helping them to deliver wheel chairs, visiting the fish farm they helped to set up, and attending the English class they helped to teach. It was neat to see all the humanitarian projects they were working on. I have always been impressed by Grandma's willingness to serve others and how she is always seeking ways to serve others more. I could see this when we visited them in Indonesia and I can see it now as Grandma comes up to Salt Lake this week to serve at the Conference Center. Grandma is a great example of service to me.  Love, Alison

One of my most recent favorite memories of Grandma Richardson is spending time with her and Melvin, Tami, Katelyn, and Ashley in Paris.  We all had so much fun together.  One night we went and saw the eiffel tower lit up and sparking at night.  Then we went on a night cruise down the Seine river.  Grandma was so sweet and paid for all of us! Grandma was a great travel companion as she was so interested in learning about all of the sites and their histories.  Grandma is great and always so supportive of us and makes me feel good about myself and the righteous decisions I make.  I love you Grandma! Love, Melissa

Grandma, the biggest memory I have is when we visited you in Indonesia.  I had some culture shock and my dad went to another city.  You and Grandpa did a wonderful job taking care of me and comforting me. I am especially proud that we are now both missionaries for the church.  I'm really enjoying my time in the MTC getting ready to serve – I can't imagine going to Mexico without any language training!  Love you, Grandma. Love, Hyrum

Joseph – I think it is cool that she goes to Salt Lake City every Wednesday to be a missionary.  She is always happy to see us when we visit!

Rebecca – We like how she always calls us on our birthdays! I always like how she likes to read books to us when she comes!

Benjamin – What more can I say than has already been said or will be awfully soon? You're awesome, Grandma! You're a great example for your children and grandchildren!

Rachel – I really love to see the pictures you take from all over the world!  I also like it when Grandma calls on my birthday!

Bethany- I love it when Grandma calls me on my birthday and that she always welcomes us into her home! Grandma, by you and grandpa serving missions, you have inspired me!!! I remember visiting you and Grandpa in Nauvoo! And when you walked us through the Carthage Jail!  I can't wait to go back there this summer!

Daniel – I like that Grandma reads us stories. I also think Grandma is a great cook! I also think Grandma is very generous!

David – I like that she takes pictures of us when we come over.  I like to see those pictures. I can't wait to see her at the reunion.

Mason – I like when grandma comes and reads me books!

"My Dad", by Vernon Richardson (written Dec. 2012)

MY DAD

A warm smile, a pat on the back, I knew dad was there with me.
He'd been there, felt it, and lived it.  Knew both life's challenge and glee.

My dad was a quiet man.  Self assured but nearly silent.
When he spoke, you listened.  His signal was clear when it was quiet.

Since last year, dad's gone for awhile.  No warm "hello" when I call home.
We can't talk 'bout the "suns" or recent travels to Virden or Rome.

No new poem to cherish.  No one to mow my lawn or baby to hold.
You're so missed, Dad.  But I'm sure you're busy bringing all to God's fold.

Now I look above my desk and see a picture of you and me.
That warm smile, that pat on the back.  I know you're still there beside me.

poem for Dean and Jennifer

DEAN AND JENNIFER

by Vernon Richardson and Melvin Richardson

January 19, 2012

Let me tell the sweetest story you'll hear,

About a love that will surely endure.

It's the tale of romance between two friends

Whose love to eternity now extends.

Now Dean was a fun but hard-working man,

Providing for his girls the best he can.

He decided to try and go online

To find a lady for whom he could pine.

He found the profile of a lovely girl,

Jennifer's her name and, Wow! What a Pearl!

Dean found someone beautiful, patient, kind.

The type of girl who is really a find.

They started to date, found each other fun

Each thought they might have found the one.

They loved their big adventures together,

Exploring new things, whate'er the weather.

Now Dean needed to go home for a spell,

To care for his Dad, who was not feeling well.

With Dean gone, Jennifer wanted to know

More about Dean's Mormon faith and so,

She met with the missionaries to learn

What it was in Dean’s church that made him yearn

For a true relationship that would last

Far beyond the date that this life has passed.

She soon developed her own testimony

And this relationship grew in harmony.

Jennifer loving on Devyn and Brielle,

And they, in turn, adored her just as well.

As the love between them continued to bask,

Dean received her dad’s blessing to ask.

So, he popped the question in the kitchen.

She said “Yes”! Making true love no fiction.

A wedding with colors of green and red

With Santa and Mrs Claus from their sled.

The Christmas wedding was just perfect

In the Thornewood castle all nicely decked.

And now Dean has taken his lovely bride

To the temple where the Spirit resides.

They've made sacred vows to God on high

That to their covenants they will comply.

We’re so excited this union is now sealed

In the holy temple, your love’s not concealed.

We’re so happy that you’ve found your true love
And now, it’s also blessed by God above.

Give, Not Take

Give, Not Take
October 2012

To lift or lean, to give or take
What of our lives are we to make?
Is it to tackle or cheerlead?
What is it that our world doth need?
To make all others carry us
Or allow us to carry them, yes?

At the judgment day, God will call
Did you love me or take it all?
Did you bless another’s life?
Or did you just give others strife?

If we love God, we choose to give
Have neighbors to bless, poor to give
Children to protect, truth to defend,
Wrongs to make right, a hand to lend.

Total love to Him we present
Keeping every commandment
Giving to Him our thanks and our will
Devoted discipleship fills that bill

Make your mind now from the bottom of your soul
Lift not lean is what will make you whole.
We cannot make any mistake
When “we give more than what we take”.

--Vern Richardson, inspired by Jeffrey R. Hollands conference talk, October 2012

Children of God

Children of God

In primary each week we all have sung

“I am a Child of God” since we were young.

That song teaches us to whom we belong

And how God loves us as one of His throng.

Wow, the divine heritage from being His child

Instead of inexplicably coming from the wild.

And having God as our Heavenly Father

Helps us realize that Christ is truly our Brother.

This knowledge can help you understand

How you fit in to God’s salvation plan.

And that you’ve got royalty in your lineage

And that you were made in His very image.

God loves you and watches over you,

Just like a dad loves you ‘til he’s blue.

God cheers when you triumph over wrong

And cries with you when you’re not so strong.

This knowledge helps you also see

Others as His child also, knowing He’s

Blessing each one of his children

Though they number in the billions.

Just like we sang in primary each week

“I am a Child of God” since we were young.

That song teaches truth to whom we belong

And how he loves us as one of His throng.

Please always remember to hold onto the rod,

And just as important, That you are a child of God!

                                  --- Vernon Jay Richardson