It's been a month!!

Okay not really. But it certainly feels like that with the way that time goes in the MTC. We are learning SOOOOOOOOO much ALLLL the time! It's so great, but my goodness it's tiring. I'm so grateful to be here, I already feel considerably more prepared to actually go out in the field. But I have MUCH more to learn. Missionary work is just that.... it's work. No getting this idea that you just come out and hang out with your companions and your district. There is so much that I have been learning from my teachers, my companion, my district and zone. And most especially from the Spirit. It would take me hours to write everything I've learned in just one week, but I'll limit it to some particularly significant things that I have learned.

1. This Church is SO true! Everything inside and out is true. While the people are imperfect and make many mistakes, the actual principles and doctrines of the Church are ONE HUNDRED PERCENT TRUE! And they really are taught for the purpose of making us better people, more able to be close to our Savior Jesus Christ. This is HIS gospel and that much I can never deny.

2. I have SOOOOOOO far to go to become like Christ. I am very very mortal and I make many many mistakes. Here I was, entering the MTC with this idea in my head that I was doing pretty well (sorry to admit to you that I'm pretty prideful. I know it's true haha). And then Heavenly Father decided that He should probably let me know that I've got a long ways to go. That hurts! Being made humble and having your weaknesses pointed out to you is no walk in the park. But I have found so much peace in the words of Christ and the prophets that explain WHY Heavenly Father points the weaknesses out. Ether 12:27 teaches that God allows us to have weaknesses and points them out SO THAT we can be humbled. It's for a reason. It's not to make us just hurt and feel bad about ourselves. He's got a purpose so much greater than we usually realize. And then here's another beautiful promise. Our weaknesses can, in fact, become those things that we are most strong at. But if we were just strong instantly.... I can just see a lot of pride happening. We need humility to do righteous things with those strengths.

Okay that was kind of a long one and I hope it made sense....

3. A mission requires a LOT of a person. This was made obvious through my own experience (which in fact has been really great and I am so happy!) and then also through watching an Elder in my district. Oddly enough, he looks a lot like Jonathan (my younger brother), so already I feel a little protective of him. Yesterday while in class, he started tearing up while talking to our teacher. I can't tell you how much love and admiration I felt for him and for all of the young people coming out to serve. God requires a lot of His children. But what is so beautiful to me about all of this is that God takes these young teenagers...18 or 19 years old... and molds them into strong men and women. How does He do it? Well... with a lot of what I talked about in Number 2. So my bit of advice to those preparing to serve... just know that it is work. BUT. Don't think that this is ever any reason to stay away. The outcome.... the final piece of work, after being molded in the hands of our Savior.... Beauty. God has so much more intended for us than we can ever even imagine, and He knows how to get us there. We should be so grateful!

Once again... I hope that all made sense.

4. EFY works!! Hahah anyone surprised that I brought that up? I guess what I really should say is The Spirit works!! Last night I ran into an Elder who was my EFY participant 3 summers ago. Here he is, getting ready to serve somewhere in South America (I should remember...) and to help bring the joy of the gospel and of forever families to those people. Now I know that the Lord has been working with him his whole life. But I had the privilege to watch one of those instances where the Lord was working on him. When the young boy felt the Holy Ghost in His life and had a testimony-building experience. It wasn't me by any means, don't think I'm saying that. It was entirely the Spirit! Our teenagers NEED to have testimony-building experiences. Wherever the situation is... EFY, the trek, girls camp, scout camp, mutual, church.... THEY NEED TO FEEL THE SPIRIT!! I guess we all do.... but everyone knows how much I love working with teenagers :)

Well, I'm basically out of time. I wish I could tell you about everything that has happened, but I don't have 6 hours to type unfortunately. But I do need you all to know that I'm out here in the MTC, getting ready to leave to Pennsylvania because I love Christ. My Savior has been the one true source of peace and lasting joy in my life. For that I will be forever grateful and indebted. I am out here giving a small portion of my life to try my best to show my gratitude for Him. Christ is peace. 

I love you all so much! Write me! :D

Love, Sister Amber Ricks