Highlights from this week:
-We taught seminary this week! It was my first ever early morning
seminary class, and it was rough to get up for. I give all of my
respect to you who went to early morning seminary!
-We found a new pet in our house- a little mouse who we named Pierre.
Luckily Pierre likes peanut butter and we conveniently placed some on
a mouse trap.
-We had some incredible lessons with people that we are teaching.
There is a young couple who are youth pastors at their church and
extremely interested in our beliefs. They had fabulous questions and
we can see them as good future Young Men and Young Women Presidents!
Another is a 17 year old girl who basically knows everything before we
even teach her. She started coming to church with a few friends from
school and already studies the Book of Mormon more intently than any
teenager that I know. When I think of her, I always think of the
phrase, "honest seekers of truth."
-Even missionaries need to be reminded of the power of prayer through
simple experiences. We lost our phone and didn't find it until we
finally remembered to pray!
-"Heavenly Father still lets us make covenants with Him even though He
knows that we won't always keep our end." -Elder Marguettes in my
district. Wow! Insightful, isn't that?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on
earth with the fullness of the gospel! Knowledge is power and it
requires effort to gain that knowledge. Seek it out! It is worth it! I
love this Church and the Plan that will take me back to my Heavenly
Father. I love my Savior. And I love serving Him by serving His
people.
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi everyone!
This church is incredible and completely filled with imperfect
people! Which, to me, is an absolute relief because I'm a part of it!
This morning I was studying President Uchtdorf's talk "Come, Join with
Us", and he explains why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is for everyone.
I love this quote of his: "I suppose the Church would be perfect only
if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is
pure. But He works through us--His imperfect children--and imperfect
people make mistakes."
Isn't that terribly comforting to know that this church that we are
apart of allows imperfect people to be a part of it? I am so grateful
for that because I wouldn't stand a chance of being accepted if the
standard was immediate perfection. I'm also grateful that despite my
imperfections and weaknesses, I am allowed to go around and share my
testimony to complete strangers and represent this church. What a
forgiving and loving doctrine. But the most beautiful part of it all
is that although the Lord understands our faults, He still desires
that we work towards improvement. The ultimate goal is perfection, but
in the mean time, all that is expected of us is an effort to improve.
I have, once again, had many of my weaknesses made apparent to me. And
yet I have come to be grateful for the chance to recognize what I can
work on next to become a little more like Christ. Which also helps me
to forgive others for their mistakes on their path to becoming more
like Christ. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the Atonement!
I love you all so much and I hope you are all enjoying your journey of
becoming more like Christ! Happy Thanksgiving this week!
Love, Sister Ricks
Good quote from this week:
"My mom has a lot of fish in her fish tank." -me
"Did you get any of them neutered?" -9 year old boy
This church is incredible and completely filled with imperfect
people! Which, to me, is an absolute relief because I'm a part of it!
This morning I was studying President Uchtdorf's talk "Come, Join with
Us", and he explains why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is for everyone.
I love this quote of his: "I suppose the Church would be perfect only
if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is
pure. But He works through us--His imperfect children--and imperfect
people make mistakes."
Isn't that terribly comforting to know that this church that we are
apart of allows imperfect people to be a part of it? I am so grateful
for that because I wouldn't stand a chance of being accepted if the
standard was immediate perfection. I'm also grateful that despite my
imperfections and weaknesses, I am allowed to go around and share my
testimony to complete strangers and represent this church. What a
forgiving and loving doctrine. But the most beautiful part of it all
is that although the Lord understands our faults, He still desires
that we work towards improvement. The ultimate goal is perfection, but
in the mean time, all that is expected of us is an effort to improve.
I have, once again, had many of my weaknesses made apparent to me. And
yet I have come to be grateful for the chance to recognize what I can
work on next to become a little more like Christ. Which also helps me
to forgive others for their mistakes on their path to becoming more
like Christ. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the Atonement!
I love you all so much and I hope you are all enjoying your journey of
becoming more like Christ! Happy Thanksgiving this week!
Love, Sister Ricks
Good quote from this week:
"My mom has a lot of fish in her fish tank." -me
"Did you get any of them neutered?" -9 year old boy
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| I made a pupusa! |
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| Can you guess which one is mine? |
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| Shameless plug to get more letters :) |
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Hola! Yo Hablo Espanol!
Alright. I don't know how life could get any better. I'm working in
Souderton, PA and it is filled with Latin Americans. Basically I get
to speak Spanish every day and eat Latin food! My new companion's name
is Sister Ashlyn Clark and I adore her! She is so much fun to work
with and she makes really good jokes.
It was super hard to say goodbye to everyone in my last area because
they have become even more of my family that I want with me forever.
But I already love the people here and I am excited to get to know
them all. There is a recent convert, Sofia, who is 13 and we have
taught her twice already. After the first time of meeting her and her
sister and mom, I told them that I loved them. The next time we were
there Sofia asked, "why do missionaries always say they love you right
after they just met you?" I thought about that for a few minutes and
was worried that maybe I had been ingenuine. But then I realized that
a beautiful experience that happens to missionaries is that when we
meet people and just get to know them a little bit, we become filled
with God's love for them. So for the first little bit, we are just
feeling God's love for His child. Then, as we continue to serve them
and get to know them, our own love for them develops. How neat is
that! So when a missionary tells you they love you as soon as they
meet you, it is really God's love for you they are feeling!
Okay, this whole Sister Training Leader thing is weird because now I
am not only concerned with the work in my own area and with my
companion, but a new aspect has been introduced. Now I am concerned
with the other sisters and how they are doing as missionaries. I was
not excited to get the calling, but as I have prayed daily to love my
calling and love the sisters that I serve, my heart has been softened.
How beautiful that Heavenly Father can soften our heart even when we
can't. All we have to do is to be willing to ask Him for it and then
let Him change us.
Life is so good and Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and be happy
and to grow! That's why we came here to earth, to stretch and change
and be better. So why be stubborn and stay the same? That's a lesson I
am still learning every day, but I am grateful for who I have become
so far with His help. I love this work! And I love you alllllllll!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
PS my new address is 199 W Vine St. #3 Hatfield, PA 19440. :)
Souderton, PA and it is filled with Latin Americans. Basically I get
to speak Spanish every day and eat Latin food! My new companion's name
is Sister Ashlyn Clark and I adore her! She is so much fun to work
with and she makes really good jokes.
It was super hard to say goodbye to everyone in my last area because
they have become even more of my family that I want with me forever.
But I already love the people here and I am excited to get to know
them all. There is a recent convert, Sofia, who is 13 and we have
taught her twice already. After the first time of meeting her and her
sister and mom, I told them that I loved them. The next time we were
there Sofia asked, "why do missionaries always say they love you right
after they just met you?" I thought about that for a few minutes and
was worried that maybe I had been ingenuine. But then I realized that
a beautiful experience that happens to missionaries is that when we
meet people and just get to know them a little bit, we become filled
with God's love for them. So for the first little bit, we are just
feeling God's love for His child. Then, as we continue to serve them
and get to know them, our own love for them develops. How neat is
that! So when a missionary tells you they love you as soon as they
meet you, it is really God's love for you they are feeling!
Okay, this whole Sister Training Leader thing is weird because now I
am not only concerned with the work in my own area and with my
companion, but a new aspect has been introduced. Now I am concerned
with the other sisters and how they are doing as missionaries. I was
not excited to get the calling, but as I have prayed daily to love my
calling and love the sisters that I serve, my heart has been softened.
How beautiful that Heavenly Father can soften our heart even when we
can't. All we have to do is to be willing to ask Him for it and then
let Him change us.
Life is so good and Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and be happy
and to grow! That's why we came here to earth, to stretch and change
and be better. So why be stubborn and stay the same? That's a lesson I
am still learning every day, but I am grateful for who I have become
so far with His help. I love this work! And I love you alllllllll!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
PS my new address is 199 W Vine St. #3 Hatfield, PA 19440. :)
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| Elle! |
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| Julianne and Morgan |
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| Salif! |
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| Sister Bettilyon and Adriana |
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| I love this family so much! |
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| First snow came this week :( |
Monday, November 10, 2014
"And they lived after the manner of happiness"
It's been one of those really bitter-sweet weeks because I found out
that I am being transferred :/ If I had never come out on my mission,
I would have had no idea what I was missing out on. But now that I'm
here and I've experienced it, I would never give up this experience
for anything. I especially would never give up the friendships that I
have developed.
In 2 Nephi 5, Nephi explains that he and his people "lived after the
manner of happiness" as they worked hard and kept the commandments and
loved each other. This was despite the fact that his brothers wanted
to kill him- which is kind of a rough situation, I would say.
So my point is, despite the difficulties that I experience as a
full-time missionary, I'm living after the manner of happiness because
of the people I get to serve and love. This is the greatest work!
In other news, I'm being transferred tomorrow :( My heart is a little
broken leaving this area and leaving my companion, but I'm excited to
serve and love even more people! Also, President asked me to be a
Sister Training Leader. I think Heavenly Father knows that I don't
like exchanges, so He gave me a calling that makes me do exchanges
every week. Haha there's no such thing as getting comfortable around
here.
A few highlights of the week:
1. A man from another country stopped us in the middle of a store and
said- "They let girls do this now?! Can I take your picture?" He
didn't tell us anything else, took our picture and walked away. We're
a little nervous about where that picture is going to end up...
2. Sister Bettilyon and I met up with Donald from my first area, who I
taught and he was baptized a year ago. It was so great to catch up
with him, and I will be going to the Washington DC temple in a few
weeks with him to get his endowments out.
3. Our family ward had the primary program and I was reminded that
that is my favorite Sunday of the year. It was especially great
because a little 5 year old boy who has a crush on me was flashing
hearts at me during the entire program. Worth it.
I love you all! I love this gospel and this church and our prophets
and leaders. Knowledge is power! I have learned SO much over the last
few months and what I've realized is that we have so much knowledge
and information at our finger tips, we just need to put forth a little
effort and seek it out! Write me and tell me about your studies! I'll
do the same for you :)
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
that I am being transferred :/ If I had never come out on my mission,
I would have had no idea what I was missing out on. But now that I'm
here and I've experienced it, I would never give up this experience
for anything. I especially would never give up the friendships that I
have developed.
In 2 Nephi 5, Nephi explains that he and his people "lived after the
manner of happiness" as they worked hard and kept the commandments and
loved each other. This was despite the fact that his brothers wanted
to kill him- which is kind of a rough situation, I would say.
So my point is, despite the difficulties that I experience as a
full-time missionary, I'm living after the manner of happiness because
of the people I get to serve and love. This is the greatest work!
In other news, I'm being transferred tomorrow :( My heart is a little
broken leaving this area and leaving my companion, but I'm excited to
serve and love even more people! Also, President asked me to be a
Sister Training Leader. I think Heavenly Father knows that I don't
like exchanges, so He gave me a calling that makes me do exchanges
every week. Haha there's no such thing as getting comfortable around
here.
A few highlights of the week:
1. A man from another country stopped us in the middle of a store and
said- "They let girls do this now?! Can I take your picture?" He
didn't tell us anything else, took our picture and walked away. We're
a little nervous about where that picture is going to end up...
2. Sister Bettilyon and I met up with Donald from my first area, who I
taught and he was baptized a year ago. It was so great to catch up
with him, and I will be going to the Washington DC temple in a few
weeks with him to get his endowments out.
3. Our family ward had the primary program and I was reminded that
that is my favorite Sunday of the year. It was especially great
because a little 5 year old boy who has a crush on me was flashing
hearts at me during the entire program. Worth it.
I love you all! I love this gospel and this church and our prophets
and leaders. Knowledge is power! I have learned SO much over the last
few months and what I've realized is that we have so much knowledge
and information at our finger tips, we just need to put forth a little
effort and seek it out! Write me and tell me about your studies! I'll
do the same for you :)
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Number Your Days
It's November already!! How the heck did that happen?!
It's been a good lesson-learning week! Here are some of them:
1. Don't do a Jillian Michaels work out DVD if you haven't been
running in a few months, you'll regret it for days.
2. If you are upset and can't feel the spirit, you are wrong. No matter what.
3. If a 3 year old gives you one of her drawings, you're in. You did
something right!
4. When trying to bribe someone to not be mad about your employee
breaking their car, bring Philly Pretzel Factory pretzels and you'll
be forgiven. (Story: the car shop dented our car and didn't tell us,
so our mission car coordinator had to talk to the big guy of the
company. The big guy brought us all soft pretzels :) )
5. When looking to give away free food, check Craig's List. You'll
possibly find a woman looking for Christmas gifts for her son who will
take the free food too. And then maybe you'll hang out with the lady
and her son and her mom and go on a boat ride and out to dinner. A
member told us about this recent experience.....
6. Pray for unity, and if your heart is soft, you'll receive it.
7. The Atonement is not just for sinners! It is to help us change the
very person that we are. It is silly to ever say, "that's just how I
am," because that is denying that the Atonement can change us. I have
been changed and I am so eternally grateful!
8. “the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views,
and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his
life and lost every desire for sin” -Joseph Smith. In other words, the
more clearly we see our weaknesses and desire them to change, the
closer we are coming to our Savior.
9. The most INTERESTING people try to talk to you if you have "Jesus
Christ" on your name tag. Ask me for some good stories!
10. Church History in the Fullness of Times Institute student manual
is the COOLEST THING!
And for some good quotes,
"God is like butterscotch! Cause butterscotch is my favorite!"
"I bought some church clothes! I couldn't quit smoking without getting
church clothes first!"
I love you all! I love the Lord! I love learning and the more I learn,
the more I love this gospel and my Savior. Learn all the time! Never
quit learning and never think that you know enough!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
It's been a good lesson-learning week! Here are some of them:
1. Don't do a Jillian Michaels work out DVD if you haven't been
running in a few months, you'll regret it for days.
2. If you are upset and can't feel the spirit, you are wrong. No matter what.
3. If a 3 year old gives you one of her drawings, you're in. You did
something right!
4. When trying to bribe someone to not be mad about your employee
breaking their car, bring Philly Pretzel Factory pretzels and you'll
be forgiven. (Story: the car shop dented our car and didn't tell us,
so our mission car coordinator had to talk to the big guy of the
company. The big guy brought us all soft pretzels :) )
5. When looking to give away free food, check Craig's List. You'll
possibly find a woman looking for Christmas gifts for her son who will
take the free food too. And then maybe you'll hang out with the lady
and her son and her mom and go on a boat ride and out to dinner. A
member told us about this recent experience.....
6. Pray for unity, and if your heart is soft, you'll receive it.
7. The Atonement is not just for sinners! It is to help us change the
very person that we are. It is silly to ever say, "that's just how I
am," because that is denying that the Atonement can change us. I have
been changed and I am so eternally grateful!
8. “the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views,
and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his
life and lost every desire for sin” -Joseph Smith. In other words, the
more clearly we see our weaknesses and desire them to change, the
closer we are coming to our Savior.
9. The most INTERESTING people try to talk to you if you have "Jesus
Christ" on your name tag. Ask me for some good stories!
10. Church History in the Fullness of Times Institute student manual
is the COOLEST THING!
And for some good quotes,
"God is like butterscotch! Cause butterscotch is my favorite!"
"I bought some church clothes! I couldn't quit smoking without getting
church clothes first!"
I love you all! I love the Lord! I love learning and the more I learn,
the more I love this gospel and my Savior. Learn all the time! Never
quit learning and never think that you know enough!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
You Can Bet Your Bottom Dollar
I don't know why I got out the habit of writing lists for my
letters... Let's try it again today. Some things I learned this week:
1. When you get in a car accident by accidentally hitting another car,
don't be afraid to give them a pass along card while the police office
is filling out his report. The guy could be really nice and appreciate
the gesture!
2. The Bible Dictionary seriously teaches the coolest things! Like
what the word Deuteronomy means and stuff.
3. When cleaning a house that has not been lived in for 8 months, help
the person realize that it is better to just throw away at least half
of the 10,000 containers in the cupboards.
4. I have barely tapped on how to use my agency to the full extent.
There is sooo much that I unwittingly blame on others or my
circumstances just because I don't know how to fully use my agency.
Like how I can choose to not feel sad or upset but instead choose to
be happy and grateful and patient.
5. Companionship inventory is the coolest/ healthiest thing for a
relationship/ friendship/ companionship. Do you know what it is? It is
something we do every week as missionaries and I want to do it with my
future husband. You talk about your individual and combined strengths
and weaknesses and what you can do individually and as a companionship
to improve. I love it!
6. Tender mercies happen on a daily basis! If I don't notice any, it
is because I am not looking for them. For example: a tender mercy of
this week was running into Sister Hyatt at the mission office.
7. Understanding why we would want the Holy Ghost as a constant
companion and realizing that he leaves us if we make poor choices is a
big motivation for people to choose the right. I hope to always
remember that when making choices.
8. "Wawa's are like Mormon churches in Utah." -Sister Bettilyon.
They're on basically every corner out here. Do you know what Wawa is?
Look it up! It's only the greatest invention in the world. Better than
QT.
Well, that's all folks. Life is good is in Pennsylvania! I love being
out here and serving the Lord!
Love, Sister Ricks
letters... Let's try it again today. Some things I learned this week:
1. When you get in a car accident by accidentally hitting another car,
don't be afraid to give them a pass along card while the police office
is filling out his report. The guy could be really nice and appreciate
the gesture!
2. The Bible Dictionary seriously teaches the coolest things! Like
what the word Deuteronomy means and stuff.
3. When cleaning a house that has not been lived in for 8 months, help
the person realize that it is better to just throw away at least half
of the 10,000 containers in the cupboards.
4. I have barely tapped on how to use my agency to the full extent.
There is sooo much that I unwittingly blame on others or my
circumstances just because I don't know how to fully use my agency.
Like how I can choose to not feel sad or upset but instead choose to
be happy and grateful and patient.
5. Companionship inventory is the coolest/ healthiest thing for a
relationship/ friendship/ companionship. Do you know what it is? It is
something we do every week as missionaries and I want to do it with my
future husband. You talk about your individual and combined strengths
and weaknesses and what you can do individually and as a companionship
to improve. I love it!
6. Tender mercies happen on a daily basis! If I don't notice any, it
is because I am not looking for them. For example: a tender mercy of
this week was running into Sister Hyatt at the mission office.
7. Understanding why we would want the Holy Ghost as a constant
companion and realizing that he leaves us if we make poor choices is a
big motivation for people to choose the right. I hope to always
remember that when making choices.
8. "Wawa's are like Mormon churches in Utah." -Sister Bettilyon.
They're on basically every corner out here. Do you know what Wawa is?
Look it up! It's only the greatest invention in the world. Better than
QT.
Well, that's all folks. Life is good is in Pennsylvania! I love being
out here and serving the Lord!
Love, Sister Ricks
Monday, October 20, 2014
Studies and Sickness
Weeeell, I got the flu this week, so I had a few pretty miserable
days. I think one of the reasons we are allowed to get sick sometimes
is so that, when we are healthy again, we remember what a blessing our
bodies are! I'm so grateful to be healthy again. I'm so grateful for a
body that works the way it is supposed to and knows how to heal. What
a beautiful gift!
In other news, Sister Bettilyon and I are so incredibly busy with
people to teach and love and serve. This week we started teaching some
amazing new people who are so prepared to accept the gospel. It is so
fun!
This morning I had an incredible study in which I realized that I
hardly know anything about the resources that are available to us in
just the standard works! I have soooo much learning to do and I'm so
excited to do it. Have you read through the Bible Dictionary? I
haven't either, but I've started and I am learning the coolest things!
I want to just share with you the pattern that I followed to find such
neat things:
I've been feeling like I hit a plateau in my studies, so last night I
1) prayed to know what questions I should ask in order to receive revelation
2) then I had a pen and notebook in hand and wrote down whatever words
or thoughts came
3) this morning, having forgotten what inspiration I had received, I
went back to the notebook and remembered what to study
4) I went to the Topical Guide and read through the scriptures talking
about the word I was lead to study: unity
5) words stuck out and ideas jumped off the page and I learned so many
neat things! I turned back and forth between all of the standard works
and tools because they all fit together perfectly.
We've been practicing this pattern with our investigators and recent
converts and less actives, and we are seeing miracles with their
testimonies growing on their own. Without our help. Just them and the
Spirit. How cool is that!
Well everyone, I really do love you all. And I LOVE this gospel!
Love, Sister Ricks
days. I think one of the reasons we are allowed to get sick sometimes
is so that, when we are healthy again, we remember what a blessing our
bodies are! I'm so grateful to be healthy again. I'm so grateful for a
body that works the way it is supposed to and knows how to heal. What
a beautiful gift!
In other news, Sister Bettilyon and I are so incredibly busy with
people to teach and love and serve. This week we started teaching some
amazing new people who are so prepared to accept the gospel. It is so
fun!
This morning I had an incredible study in which I realized that I
hardly know anything about the resources that are available to us in
just the standard works! I have soooo much learning to do and I'm so
excited to do it. Have you read through the Bible Dictionary? I
haven't either, but I've started and I am learning the coolest things!
I want to just share with you the pattern that I followed to find such
neat things:
I've been feeling like I hit a plateau in my studies, so last night I
1) prayed to know what questions I should ask in order to receive revelation
2) then I had a pen and notebook in hand and wrote down whatever words
or thoughts came
3) this morning, having forgotten what inspiration I had received, I
went back to the notebook and remembered what to study
4) I went to the Topical Guide and read through the scriptures talking
about the word I was lead to study: unity
5) words stuck out and ideas jumped off the page and I learned so many
neat things! I turned back and forth between all of the standard works
and tools because they all fit together perfectly.
We've been practicing this pattern with our investigators and recent
converts and less actives, and we are seeing miracles with their
testimonies growing on their own. Without our help. Just them and the
Spirit. How cool is that!
Well everyone, I really do love you all. And I LOVE this gospel!
Love, Sister Ricks
Monday, October 13, 2014
Meet the Mormons!
Short letter today! We were able to watch Meet the Mormons on
Wednesday before they release it to theaters. It was super good! You
should all look into watching it :)
It was a good week and I'm just amazed with how fun it is to learn
more about the gospel every day. I've been supplementing my Book of
Mormon reading with conference talks, and I have learned the coolest
things! We have access to soooo much knowledge, it is just up to us to
seek out that knowledge from the right sources. Side note: conference
talks from the 70's are bold and right on point!
I love this church and this gospel and my Savior and you all!
Love, Sister Ricks
Wednesday before they release it to theaters. It was super good! You
should all look into watching it :)
It was a good week and I'm just amazed with how fun it is to learn
more about the gospel every day. I've been supplementing my Book of
Mormon reading with conference talks, and I have learned the coolest
things! We have access to soooo much knowledge, it is just up to us to
seek out that knowledge from the right sources. Side note: conference
talks from the 70's are bold and right on point!
I love this church and this gospel and my Savior and you all!
Love, Sister Ricks
Monday, October 6, 2014
Arabian Guests
Thank you for all of the birthday cards and wishes! I feel so spoiled
by you all! I actually had the coolest birthday of my entire life on
Saturday!
Our Muslim investigator who is from Saudi Arabia had invited us to
come to an event at Drexel University to try some Arabian food. We
went in between conference sessions (which were absolutely
incredible!), thinking it was just a casual community event. When we
got there, Mustafa directed us in to the room where the celebration
was happening. Immediately we were aware that we were the only white
people in there haha! And it was not just a casual event, but a huge
holiday celebration of many of the Saudi Arabians in the area. Mustafa
took us to the table where his family was sitting and introduced us to
all of them. There was a little opening program of sorts, and we
understood absolutely none of it because they were speaking Arabic!
Mustafa's daughter, who was in charge of the event, suddenly pointed
at me and Sister Bettilyon and introduced us as the special guests,
and everyone clapped for us! What! We had no idea that we were the
special guests!
A little later, the other guy in charge of the event asked me if I
would stand up and say something about their holiday. Ummm. I had NO
clue what I would say! He really wanted me to though, so I stood up
and thanked them all for letting us be there with them, and I said
that we loved being there, even though we didn't know what the holiday
was even about. The crowd laughed and as I sat down, you could hear
people translating to others who did not speak English. What the
coolest thing ever!! Then! Once they said that we could go eat,
Mustafa took us over to be the first ones in the line for food because
we were the guests! Those people are just so hospitable! And the food
was SO good! Sheesh, we could not believe that we were actually living
that experience, it was so cool! We got a picture with some of
Mustafa's family and they gave us super cool masquerade type masks and
pins of the Saudi Arabian flag. Coolest day of my life!
We went back and watched the second session of conference which was
phenomenal! There were a few different talks that were about exactly
what I have been studying about recently and learning about. It is
incredible how inspired the leaders of the church are!
Some of the main themes that I noticed were the importance of asking
questions and seeking answers from the right sources, and most
especially for us all to come to better understand the Atonement
(primarily the enabling power of the Atonement). What beautiful
messages! I love this gospel and I love being a missionary for the
restored Church of Jesus Christ! I love you all!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
by you all! I actually had the coolest birthday of my entire life on
Saturday!
Our Muslim investigator who is from Saudi Arabia had invited us to
come to an event at Drexel University to try some Arabian food. We
went in between conference sessions (which were absolutely
incredible!), thinking it was just a casual community event. When we
got there, Mustafa directed us in to the room where the celebration
was happening. Immediately we were aware that we were the only white
people in there haha! And it was not just a casual event, but a huge
holiday celebration of many of the Saudi Arabians in the area. Mustafa
took us to the table where his family was sitting and introduced us to
all of them. There was a little opening program of sorts, and we
understood absolutely none of it because they were speaking Arabic!
Mustafa's daughter, who was in charge of the event, suddenly pointed
at me and Sister Bettilyon and introduced us as the special guests,
and everyone clapped for us! What! We had no idea that we were the
special guests!
A little later, the other guy in charge of the event asked me if I
would stand up and say something about their holiday. Ummm. I had NO
clue what I would say! He really wanted me to though, so I stood up
and thanked them all for letting us be there with them, and I said
that we loved being there, even though we didn't know what the holiday
was even about. The crowd laughed and as I sat down, you could hear
people translating to others who did not speak English. What the
coolest thing ever!! Then! Once they said that we could go eat,
Mustafa took us over to be the first ones in the line for food because
we were the guests! Those people are just so hospitable! And the food
was SO good! Sheesh, we could not believe that we were actually living
that experience, it was so cool! We got a picture with some of
Mustafa's family and they gave us super cool masquerade type masks and
pins of the Saudi Arabian flag. Coolest day of my life!
We went back and watched the second session of conference which was
phenomenal! There were a few different talks that were about exactly
what I have been studying about recently and learning about. It is
incredible how inspired the leaders of the church are!
Some of the main themes that I noticed were the importance of asking
questions and seeking answers from the right sources, and most
especially for us all to come to better understand the Atonement
(primarily the enabling power of the Atonement). What beautiful
messages! I love this gospel and I love being a missionary for the
restored Church of Jesus Christ! I love you all!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Bendiciones!
I just want to list some major blessings or miracles we experienced this week. Because that's all this week was filled with!
-I'm staying in Philly with Sister Bettilyon!! For at least 6 more weeks
-A
recent convert who we are teaching actually teaches me all the time. In
our lesson she said that the Spirit taught her that "even if it seems
illogical, we should always follow promptings from the Spirit." Well,
the next day I received an illogical prompting to give a Book of Mormon
to an active woman who was raised in the church. Im new that I needed to
follow the prompting, so I gave her the Book of Mormon. The Spirit
immediately confirmed, as did the woman, that she needed to be given
that book right then. It was cool!
-I was gently rebuked by
the Spirit and told that I needed to humble myself and apologize to
someone that I hadn't been terribly kind to. I swallowed my pride and
did so, and now that person and I have become good friends, whereas
before we really didn't get along. Haha why is it that sometimes the
hardest thing we are asked to do is to be humble?
-I had a
dream where someone told me that I needed to read the talk "His Grace is
Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. So I did. And it has changed my life! I'm
still studying to learn more about grace and it is incredible! Also,
Jacob 4:7 has become one of my new favorite scriptures.
-My
companion has taught me an amazing way of studying that has multiplied
how much I learn in just one hour. I love studying the gospel!
-I ran into Amy Sweitzer (who is now married and I don't know her last name) in my ward on Sunday. If you don't know her, she's a friend from Arizona. What are the odds!
-Lauren was baptized in Cape May!! I'll attach pictures because I got to be there :D
And for some good quotes:
"You know I save all insects. I save all creatures. Except mice."
"Where did Nephi get his strength from?" -Sister Bettilyon "From carrying the plates!" -Robert
I
feel so overwhelmed with how blessed I am! I love being a missionary! I
love this work! Thank you for all that you do to take care of the
missionaries and everyone else. I love you all!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Three Clues- September 22
Alright, I am going to give you three clues and you have to guess what has been on my mind all week:
1. It is a Christlike attribute
2. It is the solution to any problem
3. It should be the way that we treat all people
Have you got it? Maybe? Alright try this- go look in Moroni 7:47.
Why
has this topic been on my mind all week? Well, probably because I still
have so much to learn about it, but also because there is such a lack
of it in the world today. "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and
it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day,
it shall be well with him." What does that even mean?
Luckily verse 45 helps us out a little: "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Not only will being this ^ sort of person lead to all things being "well with him" in the last day, but also, "charity never faileth." What a promise!
I
have sooooo far to go in developing charity to it's fullest extent, but
I certainly want to do my best starting today knowing that it never
fails! I also love the scripture 1 Peter 4:8 (SEE FOOTNOTE A). Check
that out if you want another cool perspective on charity.
Although
I do not have perfect charity yet, I definitely love you all to the
best of my ability. I am praying for you all and I hope that you are
blessed with experiences each day that will build your faith.
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Monday, September 15, 2014
Dates!
All during the week I have crazy experiences and I think, I have got
to tell everyone back home about this! And then Monday hits and I'm
tired and I can't remember most of the cool things. But here are some
that come to mind:
-We have a Muslim investigator who brought us dates (the food)
straight from Saudi Arabia
-We visit this man in a nursing home who has a trach and can't talk.
It is one of my favorite parts of every week because I get to
experience listening to the spirit tell me what his thoughts are, and
as we talk to him you can see his face light up with gratitude that we
understand him!
-I met Elder Wilford W Anderson of the Seventy this week. He came to
speak to our mission and gave an incredible talk
-we had to wait at Pep-boys for 3 and a half hours to get our oil
changed. We handed out 3 pass along cards, a Restoration pamphlet and
a Book of Mormon :)
It was a great week and I am doing well. I love this work!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
to tell everyone back home about this! And then Monday hits and I'm
tired and I can't remember most of the cool things. But here are some
that come to mind:
-We have a Muslim investigator who brought us dates (the food)
straight from Saudi Arabia
-We visit this man in a nursing home who has a trach and can't talk.
It is one of my favorite parts of every week because I get to
experience listening to the spirit tell me what his thoughts are, and
as we talk to him you can see his face light up with gratitude that we
understand him!
-I met Elder Wilford W Anderson of the Seventy this week. He came to
speak to our mission and gave an incredible talk
-we had to wait at Pep-boys for 3 and a half hours to get our oil
changed. We handed out 3 pass along cards, a Restoration pamphlet and
a Book of Mormon :)
It was a great week and I am doing well. I love this work!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
 |
| This is a few months old, but we had to fill the baptismal font withbuckets of water :) |
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
My Testimony :)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one and only
true and living church on the earth. It is headed by Jesus Christ who
leads and directs the church through our living prophet, Thomas S.
Monson. This gospel was restored by Joseph Smith who was called to be
the first prophet of this dispensation. God loves His children and is
the same yesterday, today and forever. He has always given His
priesthood power to those who live worthy of it. We have evidence of
this throughout the history of the world. The Book of Mormon is
another testimony of Jesus Christ and is further proof that God loves
His children. I have a burning testimony that the Book of Mormon is
the word of God written by prophets living on the American continent
and is further evidence that Joseph Smith was called of God. I know my
Savior Jesus Christ lives and is the reason all of us can even find a
glimmer of joy in this life, and hope for the life to come. I love my
calling as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, with the opportunity to share with others the
reason for my happiness and peace!
I love you all. I mean it.
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
true and living church on the earth. It is headed by Jesus Christ who
leads and directs the church through our living prophet, Thomas S.
Monson. This gospel was restored by Joseph Smith who was called to be
the first prophet of this dispensation. God loves His children and is
the same yesterday, today and forever. He has always given His
priesthood power to those who live worthy of it. We have evidence of
this throughout the history of the world. The Book of Mormon is
another testimony of Jesus Christ and is further proof that God loves
His children. I have a burning testimony that the Book of Mormon is
the word of God written by prophets living on the American continent
and is further evidence that Joseph Smith was called of God. I know my
Savior Jesus Christ lives and is the reason all of us can even find a
glimmer of joy in this life, and hope for the life to come. I love my
calling as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, with the opportunity to share with others the
reason for my happiness and peace!
I love you all. I mean it.
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Let's get Down to Business! To Defeat....
I am living in some alternate universe where everything that could
possible go right is happening! Sister Bettilyon and I are completely
blown away with how constant the blessings are flowing in. Heavenly
Father is so good! Of course we still have disappointments and
difficulties when people cancel their appointments or tell us that
they don't want to meet anymore. But Heavenly Father is just pouring
out blessings, "that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
(Malachi 3:10) It's a real thing!
Let me just tell you a little about Isaiah. 17 years old and he's been
through awful, awful things. It breaks my heart to learn about the
life he has lived. You might assume that Isaiah would have no interest
in learning about church or the gospel, but he is completely prepared.
He told us that he just wants to be a good person and he wants to take
care of other people. I wish I could convey to you how much I love
him! He told us that he was nervous to come to church because he's
never been around "people like [us]". But he came anyway! What a
beautiful thing to watch one of God's children who has the potential
to follow down the same awful path that he's seen others take; but
instead, Heavenly Father miraculously lead him to us and he is now
turning his life around. I picture him as a missionary in a year or so
and eventually marrying in the temple. What a blessing to be a part of
his life!
Isaiah is one of the many miracles that we have experienced over the
last few weeks. Sharing the gospel is the BEST thing we can do in this
life, after accepting it for ourselves. Here's an intense quote for
you that I read in Preach My Gospel today:
“We will attain our exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom only on the
condition that we share with our Father’s other children the blessings
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and observe the commandments that will
enrich our lives here and hereafter” (Sharing the Gospel with Others,
190). -George Albert Smith
I love this gospel! I love my Savior! I love being a member missionary
with a name tag! I love you allllllllllll!
Love, Sister Ricks
P.S. Some good quotes from this week:
"God winks" (referring to tender mercies)
"I'll ask Grandma, she knows everything."
"I want to do good things now. Like drinking orange juice and eating
cookies with my friends."
possible go right is happening! Sister Bettilyon and I are completely
blown away with how constant the blessings are flowing in. Heavenly
Father is so good! Of course we still have disappointments and
difficulties when people cancel their appointments or tell us that
they don't want to meet anymore. But Heavenly Father is just pouring
out blessings, "that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
(Malachi 3:10) It's a real thing!
Let me just tell you a little about Isaiah. 17 years old and he's been
through awful, awful things. It breaks my heart to learn about the
life he has lived. You might assume that Isaiah would have no interest
in learning about church or the gospel, but he is completely prepared.
He told us that he just wants to be a good person and he wants to take
care of other people. I wish I could convey to you how much I love
him! He told us that he was nervous to come to church because he's
never been around "people like [us]". But he came anyway! What a
beautiful thing to watch one of God's children who has the potential
to follow down the same awful path that he's seen others take; but
instead, Heavenly Father miraculously lead him to us and he is now
turning his life around. I picture him as a missionary in a year or so
and eventually marrying in the temple. What a blessing to be a part of
his life!
Isaiah is one of the many miracles that we have experienced over the
last few weeks. Sharing the gospel is the BEST thing we can do in this
life, after accepting it for ourselves. Here's an intense quote for
you that I read in Preach My Gospel today:
“We will attain our exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom only on the
condition that we share with our Father’s other children the blessings
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and observe the commandments that will
enrich our lives here and hereafter” (Sharing the Gospel with Others,
190). -George Albert Smith
I love this gospel! I love my Savior! I love being a member missionary
with a name tag! I love you allllllllllll!
Love, Sister Ricks
P.S. Some good quotes from this week:
"God winks" (referring to tender mercies)
"I'll ask Grandma, she knows everything."
"I want to do good things now. Like drinking orange juice and eating
cookies with my friends."
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Transfers!
Well, my lovely companion Sister Hyatt has left me
for Vineland, New Jersey. She gets to do exchanges in both of my last
areas, so that is super cool!
On Tuesday I went
and picked up my new companion, Sister Kelli Bettilyon, who is from
Salt Lake City, UT. She is so great! We are having a lot of fun together
and I feel like I hardly know my area still, so we are trying to figure
things out together. I love working here so much! There is always a new
adventure happening and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Who knew
that one person (me) could love other people so deeply?! It really
amazes me how that love continues to grow. I can't even slightly imagine
how much Heavenly Father loves each one of us individually!
Some highlights from this week:
-The first
day I had my new companion, we were driving down the street and she
said to me, "Sister Ricks, you have to pull over NOW." So I pull over
just in time for her to whip the door open and her insides became her
outsides. I knew right then that we could be friends :) Things like that
just bond you, ya know?
-We spent about an hour going over the two verses Alma 7:11-12 with
a less active we are working with. If you haven't done it, try it out!
Make sure you have a dictionary!
I love you all
so much! I hope things are going well and that you are recognizing
God's hand in your life every day. Love deeply!
Love, Sister Ricks
 |
| Amber visiting from Jersey! |
 |
| Fenwick! He just left on his mission to Hong Kong. I love him! |
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| Two Sister Ricks' |
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| Sister McNutt. She's basically Nanny McFee |
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| Street Preacher |
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| A sweet mural. They're EVERYWHERE! |
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
News
I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that Sister Hyatt is
being transferred tomorrow :/ The good news is that I ate plantain
fufu his week. It is an African meal that is kind of like play doh,
but you eat it. Advice: if you are trying fufu for the first time,
take a dime sized piece instead of a softball sized piece.
Sister Hyatt forgot her name tag yesterday so I let her wear mine
while I wore the pocket kind. Ya know the kind that elders wear on
their suit coat jackets? Yes, it did look weird. She and I both tried
to keep our hair in front of our name tags all day.
#missionaryproblems
We visited this week with a less active member who is an older woman.
She was telling us that she was so grateful for her fish being alive
after her fish tank fell off the table a few days before... Well, the
first thing we had noticed when we had come in was a pretty rancid
smell and then we saw three very dead fish floating at the top of a
fish tank of murky water... There was no way that we were going to be
the ones to tell her the news! That's what home and visiting teachers
are for, right?
Anyway, it's been a fabulous week and I'm excited for whatever
adventures are ahead. I love you allllllllll!
Love, Sister Ricks
P.s. Other lessons from this week:
-If a Jehovah's Witness asks if you believe in Timothy in the Bible, say yes
-Damian fruit smells bad but tastes good
-Giving a pogo stick to an eight year old boy is probably the fastest
way to his heart
-Prayer works! Even if you pray about something that seems small but
matters to you
-Don't tell the elders if you suspect you have bed bugs. They might
tell the assistants to the president who will call and make fun of you
(we don't have them).
being transferred tomorrow :/ The good news is that I ate plantain
fufu his week. It is an African meal that is kind of like play doh,
but you eat it. Advice: if you are trying fufu for the first time,
take a dime sized piece instead of a softball sized piece.
Sister Hyatt forgot her name tag yesterday so I let her wear mine
while I wore the pocket kind. Ya know the kind that elders wear on
their suit coat jackets? Yes, it did look weird. She and I both tried
to keep our hair in front of our name tags all day.
#missionaryproblems
We visited this week with a less active member who is an older woman.
She was telling us that she was so grateful for her fish being alive
after her fish tank fell off the table a few days before... Well, the
first thing we had noticed when we had come in was a pretty rancid
smell and then we saw three very dead fish floating at the top of a
fish tank of murky water... There was no way that we were going to be
the ones to tell her the news! That's what home and visiting teachers
are for, right?
Anyway, it's been a fabulous week and I'm excited for whatever
adventures are ahead. I love you allllllllll!
Love, Sister Ricks
P.s. Other lessons from this week:
-If a Jehovah's Witness asks if you believe in Timothy in the Bible, say yes
-Damian fruit smells bad but tastes good
-Giving a pogo stick to an eight year old boy is probably the fastest
way to his heart
-Prayer works! Even if you pray about something that seems small but
matters to you
-Don't tell the elders if you suspect you have bed bugs. They might
tell the assistants to the president who will call and make fun of you
(we don't have them).
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Block Parties and The Gospel Lights
Family and friends!
Isn't life beautiful? :) It is such a blessing to be alive and to experience whatever is thrown our way.
I
serve over two wards, one is a family ward and the other is a young
single adult ward. I love both of them so much! I have come to learn
more than ever that missionary work is not about having great baptismal
numbers- it is about helping God's children come closer to Christ, no
matter who they are.
In the family ward, we work primarily with less
active members because there are 600 or so. In the young single
adult ward, we have a few great investigators, but we also work to just
strengthen the members because they are in such a transitional and
delicate time of life. I absolutely love this work!
Sister Hyatt and I are working on compiling a list
of "Philadelphia culture." It is unlike anything I have ever known. I
will give you a sneak peak of just some of the things on this list:
-If you want water to fill your swimming pool with, you just use the water from the fire hydrant on your street
-Bags and trash billowing in the wind is pretty normal
-"Block
parties" happen every weekend. It consists of blockading your street
with cars and having the whole neighborhood out for a party. I'll
include a picture of an example
-Murals are painted walls on nearly every block
-Sometimes
members will invite you over to listen to their old music groups
performing gospel music. I was privileged to hear "The Gospel Lights"
band. Pictures included.
-Potholes. Everywhere.
-Children bike gangs, who can pop a one wheeler down the street
If you want to know more, let me know! :D
I loooooooooooooooooooooove this gospel and Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon! And you!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
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| Block Party Bounce House |
 |
| The gospel lights |
 |
| The Gospel Cowgirl with her cute husband |
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Living in China Now!
Hi everyone! I love you alll soooooooooo much! Sorry I have hardly
any time to write this week with all of the errands that we had to run.
This week was fabulous though! We went to lunch in China Town with
an investigator and ate chicken feet and other legitimate chinese food.
We feel so cultured! Sister Hyatt and I were basically the only white
people there, which we felt good about :D
Also, the cutest ever little African girls came up and played with
my hair and asked, "Is this your real hair? Were you born with it?" Bah!
I love them!
I love this work. I love being able to just love people. God is so
good. His plan for us is absolutely perfect. It is just up to us to
learn and live so that we can live in true happiness for eternity with
our loved ones.
Hope to hear from you all soon! (wink, wink)
Love, Sister Ricks
 |
| Eating Chicken Feet! |
 |
| Weird Graffiti Gorilla |
 |
| Right before getting our hur did (hair cut) |
Monday, July 28, 2014
Highlights and Advice
This week has been quite an adventure! I have so much I want to say
and such little time to say it! Here are the highlights:
-"Cat cake" is a new flavor of cake with a secret ingredient: cat hairs
-We got a pogo stick for helping clean out someone's basement!
-We have a few Chinese investigators who are wonderful! It is such a
different experience teaching people without any Christian background.
It is so great to be able to practice teaching the gospel incredibly
simply and to be able to testify so much about the Savior
-I adore my companion
-African food may come back to haunt you four or five times during the
next few days. Be careful!
I love working in Philadelphia and loving such a diversity of people.
I will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity that I have
to serve! The gospel is TRUE!
Also, I wrote to one of my EFY boys about some things I wish I had
known/ done before my mission and I thought I would share:
1. Missions are HARD. Super, duper hard! For sure the hardest thing I
have ever done in my life. It's physically exhausting and emotionally
draining and sometimes spiritually difficult.
2. All of the pain is worth it! The person that you become BECAUSE of
the hard times is someone you will never want to give back. Change is
hard, but growth from the change makes life better than you can
imagine.
3. I wish I had been a better member missionary! All it takes is
simply loving people enough to invite them to do things: come to
dinner, come to church, come to mutual/institute, come to church, read
the Book of Mormon, pray to know if God is there, come to a ward
activity, etc.
4. Go out with the missionaries and ask them about what it is like to
be a missionary. What is a normal day/ week like for them? What is the
hardest thing about being a missionary? What is the best thing? Etc.
5. Also, when you think that you are the only one struggling and
having a hard time, YOU ARENT! Everyone else is too, they are just
trying to be strong. Be willing to talk about it with people. It makes
everyone feel more comfortable.
8. DO NOT DEVELOP THE MISSIONARY VOICE!!! Just talk to people like
they are people and you will have success!
Love you all!
Sister Amber Ricks
and such little time to say it! Here are the highlights:
-"Cat cake" is a new flavor of cake with a secret ingredient: cat hairs
-We got a pogo stick for helping clean out someone's basement!
-We have a few Chinese investigators who are wonderful! It is such a
different experience teaching people without any Christian background.
It is so great to be able to practice teaching the gospel incredibly
simply and to be able to testify so much about the Savior
-I adore my companion
-African food may come back to haunt you four or five times during the
next few days. Be careful!
I love working in Philadelphia and loving such a diversity of people.
I will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity that I have
to serve! The gospel is TRUE!
Also, I wrote to one of my EFY boys about some things I wish I had
known/ done before my mission and I thought I would share:
1. Missions are HARD. Super, duper hard! For sure the hardest thing I
have ever done in my life. It's physically exhausting and emotionally
draining and sometimes spiritually difficult.
2. All of the pain is worth it! The person that you become BECAUSE of
the hard times is someone you will never want to give back. Change is
hard, but growth from the change makes life better than you can
imagine.
3. I wish I had been a better member missionary! All it takes is
simply loving people enough to invite them to do things: come to
dinner, come to church, come to mutual/institute, come to church, read
the Book of Mormon, pray to know if God is there, come to a ward
activity, etc.
4. Go out with the missionaries and ask them about what it is like to
be a missionary. What is a normal day/ week like for them? What is the
hardest thing about being a missionary? What is the best thing? Etc.
5. Also, when you think that you are the only one struggling and
having a hard time, YOU ARENT! Everyone else is too, they are just
trying to be strong. Be willing to talk about it with people. It makes
everyone feel more comfortable.
8. DO NOT DEVELOP THE MISSIONARY VOICE!!! Just talk to people like
they are people and you will have success!
Love you all!
Sister Amber Ricks
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Happy Monday!
Dear e'erbody-
I love being a missionary! I love working in Philadelphia! I love
working with Sister Hyatt! We had a super fun week working with some
awesome people. Mostly everyone really is African! I feel like I need
to develop the gift of tongues being here. I had really wanted to go
somewhere on my mission where I had to speak a foreign language and
it's happened! I'm in Africa speaking Philly. It's a real thing. Or I
guess I'm just in Philly trying to understand different Liberian
dialects. Either way, I'm having a blast!
We are working closely with the family ward to help reactivate their
600 less active members. It's quite a job! But with the help of the
ward members, I know that we are going to see some great miracles.
It's all about the members and the missionaries working together!
In other news, we went to try to find a potential investigator and in
order to avoid us he army-crawled through the living room, but the
door was open so we could see him. Haha! If you're going to avoid the
missionaries, at least be creative about it :)
I love youuuuuuuuuu!!! The Church is true!
Love, Sister Ricks
I love being a missionary! I love working in Philadelphia! I love
working with Sister Hyatt! We had a super fun week working with some
awesome people. Mostly everyone really is African! I feel like I need
to develop the gift of tongues being here. I had really wanted to go
somewhere on my mission where I had to speak a foreign language and
it's happened! I'm in Africa speaking Philly. It's a real thing. Or I
guess I'm just in Philly trying to understand different Liberian
dialects. Either way, I'm having a blast!
We are working closely with the family ward to help reactivate their
600 less active members. It's quite a job! But with the help of the
ward members, I know that we are going to see some great miracles.
It's all about the members and the missionaries working together!
In other news, we went to try to find a potential investigator and in
order to avoid us he army-crawled through the living room, but the
door was open so we could see him. Haha! If you're going to avoid the
missionaries, at least be creative about it :)
I love youuuuuuuuuu!!! The Church is true!
Love, Sister Ricks
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Surprise Transfer!
****NEW ADDRESS FOR SISTER RICKS****
28 Llanfair Road #4B (Llanfair like llama)
Ardmore, PA 19003
Well this week was quite interesting with transfers. A huge surprise happened when I found out that I was being transferred to Liberia, Africa! It doesn't happen very often for sisters, but I am one of the lucky ones!
28 Llanfair Road #4B (Llanfair like llama)
Ardmore, PA 19003
Well this week was quite interesting with transfers. A huge surprise happened when I found out that I was being transferred to Liberia, Africa! It doesn't happen very often for sisters, but I am one of the lucky ones!
Okay....well MOSTLY that's what happened. I was
actually transferred to West Philadelphia (born and raised...... name
that t.v. show!) and it consists largely of Africans! If you know me
well, you probably know that it has been my life dream to go to Africa.
Well, Heavenly Father is so good to me and gave me the next best option
while I'm on my mission. I feel like I'm in heaven working with these
people. I don't know if ever had more fun at church being surrounded by
such diversity!
I am SO excited for this new area. It was super hard
to leave the people in Cape May, but I know that this is what Heavenly
Father has planned for me at this time. And I feel so blessed! My
companion is absolutely wonderful too, Sister Annabelle Hyatt. She only
has a few transfers left and is a boss missionary. I have so much I can
learn from her.
This week has been so fun just getting to know the
people in my area. We cover a family ward and a YSA ward, so we have
plenty of work to do. What a blessing!
I love
being a missionary. I love the Lord and His work that I am blessed to be
a part of. I love the people that I get to love. And I hope that each
of you are taking advantage of the Lord's call to be member
missionaries. Because soooooooooo many blessings come from it!
I love you all!
Love, Sister Ricks
 |
| The quilt I made for Maddy's baby! |
 |
| Saying goodbye to the Johnsons |
 |
| First selfie with Sister Hyatt |
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Transfers!
The call came Saturday morning- Sister White is staying in Cape
May and I am off to somewhere new! I expected that I would be leaving
because I've been here for almost 6 months, but it is super hard to
leave. I feel like this place has become my home and these people have
become my family. I had a neat experience yesterday in sacrament
meeting. I had gone up to bear my testimony and as I started speaking,
in my mind I had a flash of all of the people that I have met and
served while I've been here. It was incredible to feel such an
overwhelming love for Heavenly Father's children.
We went camping this week! Well.... Kind of. We were invited
to lunch with some members from Pennsylvania that were down here for
vacation, and they were staying in a campground. So we sat around
their camp site to eat.
We received a referral from church headquarters for a girl
living in our area. We drove down to check it out and we found a
building that looked like a hotel that was under construction. We
decided that it was a flaky referral and we were going to mark it as
contacted. We had the thought that we should double check the referral
though, and we found a phone number. We called it and the girl
answered! She told us that she had been investigating in Virginia and
needed the church back in her life. Another miracle! We taught her on
Wednesday and she is almost ready to get baptized!
In sacrament meeting after I bore my testimony, Cindy got up
and bore her testimony! That was a miracle because she had said
multiple times before that she did not want to have to talk at the
podium. But she felt the spirit encouraging her to go and she did it!
I love these people. I love this work. It is hard and
exhausting and oh so wonderful! I hope that each of you are praying
for opportunities and acting upon them when they come to share the
gospel and prepare people to take the missionary lessons. Elder
Ballard challenged us to invite people at least four times a year to
take the missionary lessons. That is an apostle who speaks for God
giving that challenge.... Which means that there are major blessings
attached to being obedient. This church is truly Christ's one true
church on the earth. I know it, I love it, it love it! And I love you!
Love, Sister Ricks
May and I am off to somewhere new! I expected that I would be leaving
because I've been here for almost 6 months, but it is super hard to
leave. I feel like this place has become my home and these people have
become my family. I had a neat experience yesterday in sacrament
meeting. I had gone up to bear my testimony and as I started speaking,
in my mind I had a flash of all of the people that I have met and
served while I've been here. It was incredible to feel such an
overwhelming love for Heavenly Father's children.
We went camping this week! Well.... Kind of. We were invited
to lunch with some members from Pennsylvania that were down here for
vacation, and they were staying in a campground. So we sat around
their camp site to eat.
We received a referral from church headquarters for a girl
living in our area. We drove down to check it out and we found a
building that looked like a hotel that was under construction. We
decided that it was a flaky referral and we were going to mark it as
contacted. We had the thought that we should double check the referral
though, and we found a phone number. We called it and the girl
answered! She told us that she had been investigating in Virginia and
needed the church back in her life. Another miracle! We taught her on
Wednesday and she is almost ready to get baptized!
In sacrament meeting after I bore my testimony, Cindy got up
and bore her testimony! That was a miracle because she had said
multiple times before that she did not want to have to talk at the
podium. But she felt the spirit encouraging her to go and she did it!
I love these people. I love this work. It is hard and
exhausting and oh so wonderful! I hope that each of you are praying
for opportunities and acting upon them when they come to share the
gospel and prepare people to take the missionary lessons. Elder
Ballard challenged us to invite people at least four times a year to
take the missionary lessons. That is an apostle who speaks for God
giving that challenge.... Which means that there are major blessings
attached to being obedient. This church is truly Christ's one true
church on the earth. I know it, I love it, it love it! And I love you!
Love, Sister Ricks
 |
| The District |
 |
| A quilt I made for a member's new baby |
 |
| Monster's Inc Doors! |
Monday, June 30, 2014
Share What You Know
Cindy was confirmed yesterday! We were planning on waiting until next
week because she and her husband were going out of town, but we were
sitting waiting for church to start and in walked Cindy! She told us
the crazy story of what happened and then she said, "I guess I'm just
supposed to be here today!" Ahh! What incredible faith!
Lauren will probably be getting baptized in about two weeks, which is
so exciting! She is super ready and will be a huge blessing to have in
the church. We really want her to go on a mission in a year and she is
starting to think about it. How incredible would that be?!
The work is going really well and I absolutely love being here!
Sharing the gospel is the greatest calling in the entire world, I'm
quite sure.
I am amazed with how much my testimony is growing day by day, and I am
more certain than ever that this church is Christ's church. I am more
certain than ever that Heavenly Father's plan is a perfect one, and it
is up to us whether or not we are going to choose to follow Him. I am
more certain than ever that "wickedness never was happiness."
I love the gospel! To quote some girl that I don't know, "If you love
what you know, share it!" Are you sharing what you know and love?
I love you alllllllllll!!
Love, Sister Ricks
week because she and her husband were going out of town, but we were
sitting waiting for church to start and in walked Cindy! She told us
the crazy story of what happened and then she said, "I guess I'm just
supposed to be here today!" Ahh! What incredible faith!
Lauren will probably be getting baptized in about two weeks, which is
so exciting! She is super ready and will be a huge blessing to have in
the church. We really want her to go on a mission in a year and she is
starting to think about it. How incredible would that be?!
The work is going really well and I absolutely love being here!
Sharing the gospel is the greatest calling in the entire world, I'm
quite sure.
I am amazed with how much my testimony is growing day by day, and I am
more certain than ever that this church is Christ's church. I am more
certain than ever that Heavenly Father's plan is a perfect one, and it
is up to us whether or not we are going to choose to follow Him. I am
more certain than ever that "wickedness never was happiness."
I love the gospel! To quote some girl that I don't know, "If you love
what you know, share it!" Are you sharing what you know and love?
I love you alllllllllll!!
Love, Sister Ricks
Monday, June 23, 2014
Baptism, fireflies and soft shelled crabs
Okay for the record, I ate the entire crab. TWO entire crabs. Mostly
it weirded me out, but they kind of tasted good. I certainly wouldn't
choose that meal for my birthday dinner though.
Also, I saw fireflies for the first time in my life! How cool are
they?! We're definitely missing out back in Arizona and Utah. I'll try
and smuggle some home, but I don't know how well that will work out...
Most importantly, Cindy was baptized yesterday!! I have been working
with her since I got to Cape May, so it was a huge blessing to see her
baptized. She is so prepared and will be a great member of Christ's
church. It was really neat because right after the baptism service she
said to us, "you loved me here." What a testimony on the power of
love! The Beatles sure had it right, didn't they? (That might be a
little blasphemous, so don't quote me on that one!)
We are seeing so many miracles! We had 4 investigators at church
yesterday, plus 2 potential investigators and a less active woman that
we are helping to get her temple recommend back. This work is so
incredible! It is so obviously God's work, and I'm spoiled to be a
part of it!
Family history is amazing! Have you been working on
yours?........................
The prophet has told us that Heavenly Father wants now more than ever
for each of us to be doing family history work. He doesn't care how
young or old you are, you can do something! Sister White and I have
had some incredibly spiritual experiences helping people work on their
family history. Sometimes I wish I could be a full-time family history
missionary, but that will have to wait until my next mission. If you
haven't caught the spirit of Elijah, you are missing out on some major
blessings and incredible experiences. Catch the wave, my friends!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom
on her earth today. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God called to
restore the gospel in these latter-days. The Book of Mormon is truly
God's word. I love my Savior and all of you!
Love, Sister Ricks
it weirded me out, but they kind of tasted good. I certainly wouldn't
choose that meal for my birthday dinner though.
Also, I saw fireflies for the first time in my life! How cool are
they?! We're definitely missing out back in Arizona and Utah. I'll try
and smuggle some home, but I don't know how well that will work out...
Most importantly, Cindy was baptized yesterday!! I have been working
with her since I got to Cape May, so it was a huge blessing to see her
baptized. She is so prepared and will be a great member of Christ's
church. It was really neat because right after the baptism service she
said to us, "you loved me here." What a testimony on the power of
love! The Beatles sure had it right, didn't they? (That might be a
little blasphemous, so don't quote me on that one!)
We are seeing so many miracles! We had 4 investigators at church
yesterday, plus 2 potential investigators and a less active woman that
we are helping to get her temple recommend back. This work is so
incredible! It is so obviously God's work, and I'm spoiled to be a
part of it!
Family history is amazing! Have you been working on
yours?........................
The prophet has told us that Heavenly Father wants now more than ever
for each of us to be doing family history work. He doesn't care how
young or old you are, you can do something! Sister White and I have
had some incredibly spiritual experiences helping people work on their
family history. Sometimes I wish I could be a full-time family history
missionary, but that will have to wait until my next mission. If you
haven't caught the spirit of Elijah, you are missing out on some major
blessings and incredible experiences. Catch the wave, my friends!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom
on her earth today. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God called to
restore the gospel in these latter-days. The Book of Mormon is truly
God's word. I love my Savior and all of you!
Love, Sister Ricks
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Over the Hill!
I've hit my nine month mark today! It feels crazy to think that I have
already been out here for nine months, and I only have nine left to
go! I love being a missionary and being able to just love people. I am
so amazed with how many people I have come to love. They have become a
part of my family, and I am so eternally grateful that Heavenly Father
has designed a plan that will let me have my family forever!
Last night we had dinner with some members and they had invited a
college professor friend of theirs. She asked me and Sister White,
"What has lead you to do something so counter-cultural for kids your
age?" It was a great testimony builder for me to be able to boldly
exclaim that I am doing what I am because I have deep faith in Christ.
I was able to "bear down in pure testimony" (Alma 4:19) and proclaim
that I am willing to do what is asked of me because I believe
completely in the things that I teach about. Nothing and no one can
ever convince otherwise. Even if I go home without having helped
anyone else come unto Christ, I know that I have a deep-rooted
testimony that will never leave me. I also know that it will take work
to keep that testimony, but I am certainly willing to work for that! I
love this work and these people so much!
There is a new Facebook "movement" called "Called to Share."
http://www.facebook.com/
If you have been looking for a way to be a better member missionary,
here is your chance! Go add yourself to the group and follow the
instructions. Heavenly Father is inspiring people to move the work
forward, so don't miss a chance to be a part of it!
I looooove you all so much and I'm so excited to have you all for eternity!
Love, Sister Ricks
already been out here for nine months, and I only have nine left to
go! I love being a missionary and being able to just love people. I am
so amazed with how many people I have come to love. They have become a
part of my family, and I am so eternally grateful that Heavenly Father
has designed a plan that will let me have my family forever!
Last night we had dinner with some members and they had invited a
college professor friend of theirs. She asked me and Sister White,
"What has lead you to do something so counter-cultural for kids your
age?" It was a great testimony builder for me to be able to boldly
exclaim that I am doing what I am because I have deep faith in Christ.
I was able to "bear down in pure testimony" (Alma 4:19) and proclaim
that I am willing to do what is asked of me because I believe
completely in the things that I teach about. Nothing and no one can
ever convince otherwise. Even if I go home without having helped
anyone else come unto Christ, I know that I have a deep-rooted
testimony that will never leave me. I also know that it will take work
to keep that testimony, but I am certainly willing to work for that! I
love this work and these people so much!
There is a new Facebook "movement" called "Called to Share."
http://www.facebook.com/
If you have been looking for a way to be a better member missionary,
here is your chance! Go add yourself to the group and follow the
instructions. Heavenly Father is inspiring people to move the work
forward, so don't miss a chance to be a part of it!
I looooove you all so much and I'm so excited to have you all for eternity!
Love, Sister Ricks
Monday, June 9, 2014
Your Favorite New Jersey Missionary!
Hello everyone! How are you all? We had a great week with some
awesome miracles! It is so fun to see Heavenly Father's hand work
absolute miracles. We found some members of the church that have not
had contact with the church in many years, and it all happened with
the Lord's help. We were exactly where we needed to be when we needed
to be there and met exactly who we were supposed to meet. That is a
great feeling to recognize when that happens! What miracles have you
seen lately? When has Heavenly Father directed you to be exactly where
you need to be when you need to be there? I'd love to hear from you
about this!
I am going to sound like a broken record, but I want to share
this with you anyway. As I was writing to a good friend, I thought
about the biggest lessons that I have learned so far in my mission. Of
course I have hundreds of other lessons to add to these, but here they
are:
1. The gospel blesses families. There is NEVER a reason to stray.
2. Love is the driving force behind sharing the gospel. It is not
possible without love.
3. You HAVE to be allowed to experience the low to really appreciate
the high. Even when the low is almost unbearable.
4. The Spirit World is SO much more real than we understand. We can
literally have immediate help from God's angels if we just ask for it.
These are some of the main thoughts that have been on my mind
this week as we have worked. What has The Lord been teaching you about
lately?
We tried to teach a less-active member last night but she was
sleeping, so her kids just came outside to talk to us. We are
absolutely in love with these kids and as we talked with them, we
realized how dangerous their living condition is. It broke our hearts.
Life can be so incredibly unfair sometimes. But the beautiful thing
about it is that the kids LOVE Jesus and they love talking about Him.
They have learned to rely on Him because they have no one else to rely
on. They are such a huge example to me of how to have constant faith
in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I hope that my faith can grow to
be as strong as theirs!
Life is hard but the gospel is not! Learn it, live it and love
it and you will be happier than you can imagine. I know that Christ is
our Savior and we can turn to Him for help at all times. I love you
all!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
awesome miracles! It is so fun to see Heavenly Father's hand work
absolute miracles. We found some members of the church that have not
had contact with the church in many years, and it all happened with
the Lord's help. We were exactly where we needed to be when we needed
to be there and met exactly who we were supposed to meet. That is a
great feeling to recognize when that happens! What miracles have you
seen lately? When has Heavenly Father directed you to be exactly where
you need to be when you need to be there? I'd love to hear from you
about this!
I am going to sound like a broken record, but I want to share
this with you anyway. As I was writing to a good friend, I thought
about the biggest lessons that I have learned so far in my mission. Of
course I have hundreds of other lessons to add to these, but here they
are:
1. The gospel blesses families. There is NEVER a reason to stray.
2. Love is the driving force behind sharing the gospel. It is not
possible without love.
3. You HAVE to be allowed to experience the low to really appreciate
the high. Even when the low is almost unbearable.
4. The Spirit World is SO much more real than we understand. We can
literally have immediate help from God's angels if we just ask for it.
These are some of the main thoughts that have been on my mind
this week as we have worked. What has The Lord been teaching you about
lately?
We tried to teach a less-active member last night but she was
sleeping, so her kids just came outside to talk to us. We are
absolutely in love with these kids and as we talked with them, we
realized how dangerous their living condition is. It broke our hearts.
Life can be so incredibly unfair sometimes. But the beautiful thing
about it is that the kids LOVE Jesus and they love talking about Him.
They have learned to rely on Him because they have no one else to rely
on. They are such a huge example to me of how to have constant faith
in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I hope that my faith can grow to
be as strong as theirs!
Life is hard but the gospel is not! Learn it, live it and love
it and you will be happier than you can imagine. I know that Christ is
our Savior and we can turn to Him for help at all times. I love you
all!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
 |
| We participated in the Pinewood Derby contest :) |
 |
| Amber is getting baptized this Saturday! |
 |
| This is a house we helped clean, right on the beach |
 |
| We balloon-attacked the Johnson's house while they were gone (the senior missionary couple in our branch) |
 |
| I found my prince charming! |
 |
| "There's a place off of Ocean Avenue...." anyone know this song? :) |
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Short Today
Sorry everyone, I'm keeping it really short this week. Things are
going really well out here in Cape May and Sister White and I are
working hard and loving being missionaries. I love this Church and I'm
so grateful to be it's representative for a year and a half. It is
quite a responsibility, but also quite a privilege and blessing! If
y're having a hard time with life right now, read "However Long and
Hard the Road." You can find it on lds.org. It's an amazing talk!
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooov
Love, sister Amber Ricks
going really well out here in Cape May and Sister White and I are
working hard and loving being missionaries. I love this Church and I'm
so grateful to be it's representative for a year and a half. It is
quite a responsibility, but also quite a privilege and blessing! If
y're having a hard time with life right now, read "However Long and
Hard the Road." You can find it on lds.org. It's an amazing talk!
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooov
Love, sister Amber Ricks
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Happy Spring!
Let me tell you, Spring time on the East coast is a beautiful thing!
It is so fun to watch the trees and other plants come back to life
after a long, dark, cold winter. How perfect was it that Joseph Smith
had his vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Spring. That
vision lead to the restoration of the gospel, bringing the world back
to life, out of the long, dark, cold years without a prophet to lead
God's people.
I love being a missionary. I love helping people come out of their own
long darkness and coming to life with the gospel. There is nothing
more rewarding than being a part of that process. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just another religion. It is
literally God's kingdom on earth. How can we not invite the people
that we love to be a part of God's kingdom?
I love being a missionary because my eyes have finally been opened and
I have learned to see what sharing the gospel is all about and what
being a missionary really means. Just as I talked about last time, it
is all about love. Love is the driving force of everything in the
gospel and in God's plan of happiness. Christ loves us, so He suffered
for us. He loves us so He overcame death. He loves us so He walks by
our side when we are struggling. He loves us so He taught us the way
back to God. Charity never faileth, remember? Even if you fall short
and don't know what to say or how to help, if you just love pekoe, you
can't fail. What a beautiful promise!
I know that I can be with my family forever because Jesus loves me and
made it possible!
I love you all so much!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
P.S. Do family history! Especially you youth! You will be protected
from Satan if you do!
It is so fun to watch the trees and other plants come back to life
after a long, dark, cold winter. How perfect was it that Joseph Smith
had his vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Spring. That
vision lead to the restoration of the gospel, bringing the world back
to life, out of the long, dark, cold years without a prophet to lead
God's people.
I love being a missionary. I love helping people come out of their own
long darkness and coming to life with the gospel. There is nothing
more rewarding than being a part of that process. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just another religion. It is
literally God's kingdom on earth. How can we not invite the people
that we love to be a part of God's kingdom?
I love being a missionary because my eyes have finally been opened and
I have learned to see what sharing the gospel is all about and what
being a missionary really means. Just as I talked about last time, it
is all about love. Love is the driving force of everything in the
gospel and in God's plan of happiness. Christ loves us, so He suffered
for us. He loves us so He overcame death. He loves us so He walks by
our side when we are struggling. He loves us so He taught us the way
back to God. Charity never faileth, remember? Even if you fall short
and don't know what to say or how to help, if you just love pekoe, you
can't fail. What a beautiful promise!
I know that I can be with my family forever because Jesus loves me and
made it possible!
I love you all so much!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
P.S. Do family history! Especially you youth! You will be protected
from Satan if you do!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Did you all see the new video put out by the church? If not, check out
motherhood.mormon.org. The Church is so cool and has the best videos!
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day! Thanks to every woman who has ever played
a mother-role in my life! It was so great to be able to talk with my
family yesterday. What a blessing modern technology is! All we need to
do is use it for the good that it can be used for. Like sharing the
gospel! :D
I'm sorry I don't have any deep philosophical thoughts for today, but
know that I love you all and I appreciate your love and prayers. I'm
so grateful for the righteous influences that I have in my life and
the person that I am becoming because of it. Do something today to
show Heavenly Father how much you love Him!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
motherhood.mormon.org. The Church is so cool and has the best videos!
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day! Thanks to every woman who has ever played
a mother-role in my life! It was so great to be able to talk with my
family yesterday. What a blessing modern technology is! All we need to
do is use it for the good that it can be used for. Like sharing the
gospel! :D
I'm sorry I don't have any deep philosophical thoughts for today, but
know that I love you all and I appreciate your love and prayers. I'm
so grateful for the righteous influences that I have in my life and
the person that I am becoming because of it. Do something today to
show Heavenly Father how much you love Him!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Monday, May 5, 2014
All you need is love, love! Love is all you need!
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! I hope you all went out to the store
today and bought the makings for some homemade tacos to celebrate,
because we sure did! Today's letter is mostly about love and a little
bit about tacos. Because who doesn't love tacos?
The last 6 weeks have brought the repeating theme of love and how
powerful it can be. This week, as we worked with a member that has not
been to church in probably 30 years, a particular phrase continued to
run through my mind: "Just love her back to Me." Quite often when we
start working with a member who has not been to church in a while, we
jump in to reteach the missionary lessons just as we would to an
investigator. But with this particular member, it has been made very
clear that she just needs to be loved. She needs to learn what it is
to feel loved in an unconditional way. And doing just that has brought
her leaps and bounds closer to God than she has been in a very, very
long time. It has lead me to realize how important it is for a person
to feel loved and appreciated and cared about. Which helped me realize
that that is all that missionary work is! It is loving someone enough
to show them a better way, the best way, of life.
We did not just get right into this member's home and start teaching
her about Heavenly Father. We loved her first. And as we showed her
genuine love, she has become ready to learn about Heavenly Father and
the blessings of the gospel. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of.
So go out and just love people. Love them enough to show them the best
way of life. It's an incredible way to live :)
I sure love you all and I hope that each of you know that you are a
beautiful son or daughter of God who loves you too!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
today and bought the makings for some homemade tacos to celebrate,
because we sure did! Today's letter is mostly about love and a little
bit about tacos. Because who doesn't love tacos?
The last 6 weeks have brought the repeating theme of love and how
powerful it can be. This week, as we worked with a member that has not
been to church in probably 30 years, a particular phrase continued to
run through my mind: "Just love her back to Me." Quite often when we
start working with a member who has not been to church in a while, we
jump in to reteach the missionary lessons just as we would to an
investigator. But with this particular member, it has been made very
clear that she just needs to be loved. She needs to learn what it is
to feel loved in an unconditional way. And doing just that has brought
her leaps and bounds closer to God than she has been in a very, very
long time. It has lead me to realize how important it is for a person
to feel loved and appreciated and cared about. Which helped me realize
that that is all that missionary work is! It is loving someone enough
to show them a better way, the best way, of life.
We did not just get right into this member's home and start teaching
her about Heavenly Father. We loved her first. And as we showed her
genuine love, she has become ready to learn about Heavenly Father and
the blessings of the gospel. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of.
So go out and just love people. Love them enough to show them the best
way of life. It's an incredible way to live :)
I sure love you all and I hope that each of you know that you are a
beautiful son or daughter of God who loves you too!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Monday, April 28, 2014
The real life of a missionary Part 2
Hello everyone!
I'm feeling all philosophical today, so I decided to give you another
glimpse into the mind of a missionary. Maybe I'm actually crazy and am
the only missionary to actually feel like this, but I have a strong
hunch that it's pretty universal. So, welcome to my thoughts:
Being a missionary is unique. I'm out here, living a life created
around missionary work. It's sporadic and predictable all at the same
time. It's exciting and boring at the same time. It's crazy fun and
crazy hard. It's not rare that I have thoughts about my life back
home, wishing I was there. I'm needed out here in this life though, so
I stay. If it was only for my benefit, you'd better believe I'd be on
the next flight home. But I need to be out here for other people's
benefit. I'm glad to be a part of something in which I am greatly
needed. It helps push through the hard times.
People have always said that a mission is the hardest and best thing
ever- they are so right. I've never felt as alone as I have out here.
I've never felt as abandoned and picked on and hopeless as I have out
here. I've never felt as broken and incapable as I have out here. But
I've never known more clearly how much God loves me. I've never felt
more strongly that Christ is standing by my side. I've never seen
myself more clearly and I've never felt so patient. I've never before
recognized how deeply I can love and be loved. I've never witnessed my
weaknesses and my strengthens so apparent. I've never felt my brother
closer (he died when I was about 5 years old). I've never had such a
clear view of how connected we are to our ancestors. I've never known
this strongly how much I need the gospel in my life and in my family's
lives.
The Lord is hastening His work because we are preparing for the final
days before Christ's second coming. This work of a mission, with it's
trials and great miracles, is not singular to full-time missionaries.
Every member of Christ's church is capable of being a part of this
preparatory work for the Savior. It is not easy, but it is most
definitely worth it. I'm grateful to be used by Heavenly Father to
help accomplish His purposes. I'm grateful to have your examples of
allowing yourselves to be used by Heavenly Father to do his work. I
know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each one of us individually,
I love you all like crazy!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
I'm feeling all philosophical today, so I decided to give you another
glimpse into the mind of a missionary. Maybe I'm actually crazy and am
the only missionary to actually feel like this, but I have a strong
hunch that it's pretty universal. So, welcome to my thoughts:
Being a missionary is unique. I'm out here, living a life created
around missionary work. It's sporadic and predictable all at the same
time. It's exciting and boring at the same time. It's crazy fun and
crazy hard. It's not rare that I have thoughts about my life back
home, wishing I was there. I'm needed out here in this life though, so
I stay. If it was only for my benefit, you'd better believe I'd be on
the next flight home. But I need to be out here for other people's
benefit. I'm glad to be a part of something in which I am greatly
needed. It helps push through the hard times.
People have always said that a mission is the hardest and best thing
ever- they are so right. I've never felt as alone as I have out here.
I've never felt as abandoned and picked on and hopeless as I have out
here. I've never felt as broken and incapable as I have out here. But
I've never known more clearly how much God loves me. I've never felt
more strongly that Christ is standing by my side. I've never seen
myself more clearly and I've never felt so patient. I've never before
recognized how deeply I can love and be loved. I've never witnessed my
weaknesses and my strengthens so apparent. I've never felt my brother
closer (he died when I was about 5 years old). I've never had such a
clear view of how connected we are to our ancestors. I've never known
this strongly how much I need the gospel in my life and in my family's
lives.
The Lord is hastening His work because we are preparing for the final
days before Christ's second coming. This work of a mission, with it's
trials and great miracles, is not singular to full-time missionaries.
Every member of Christ's church is capable of being a part of this
preparatory work for the Savior. It is not easy, but it is most
definitely worth it. I'm grateful to be used by Heavenly Father to
help accomplish His purposes. I'm grateful to have your examples of
allowing yourselves to be used by Heavenly Father to do his work. I
know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each one of us individually,
I love you all like crazy!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
Monday, April 21, 2014
Spring is Here!!!
This will be a short one today, so sorry about that!
It is finally turning to spring, although I'm still freezing and
wearing a jacket while everyone else is in short sleeves and shorts.
Darn my Arizona blood... Haha. We had a great week and it ended with
an incredible Easter. Our investigator was confirmed as a member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then we spent the
evening with a family that has taken us missionaries in as their own
kids. We had an awesome time just being with their family and talking
about Christ. I am so grateful for this day set aside to celebrate the
miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that is made
possible because of Him. I am so grateful that because of Him, my
family will get to be with my brother once again and we will never be
separated again. I am so grateful that because of Him, the grave has
no victory and despair becomes hope. I know that Jesus Christ lives!
I love you all and I hope you each took the time to watch the video
put out by the church ("Because of Him") and to think about your
blessings that come because of Him. Have a fabulous week!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
It is finally turning to spring, although I'm still freezing and
wearing a jacket while everyone else is in short sleeves and shorts.
Darn my Arizona blood... Haha. We had a great week and it ended with
an incredible Easter. Our investigator was confirmed as a member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then we spent the
evening with a family that has taken us missionaries in as their own
kids. We had an awesome time just being with their family and talking
about Christ. I am so grateful for this day set aside to celebrate the
miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that is made
possible because of Him. I am so grateful that because of Him, my
family will get to be with my brother once again and we will never be
separated again. I am so grateful that because of Him, the grave has
no victory and despair becomes hope. I know that Jesus Christ lives!
I love you all and I hope you each took the time to watch the video
put out by the church ("Because of Him") and to think about your
blessings that come because of Him. Have a fabulous week!
Love, Sister Amber Ricks
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Easter! Baptism! Wedding!
Happy Monday! We had the privilege of attending a wedding and then a
baptism this weekend. Have you ever met someone and had the strangest
feeling that you already knew them and that you'll know them forever?
That's how it is with these two. I'm so grateful to be a part of their
lives and to have had the opportunity to teach the fullness of
Christ's gospel to Lawrence. One of the happiest moments for a
missionary is to sit in front of the baptismal font and watch someone
get baptized that you have taught and loved and prayed for and
sometimes even cried for. To watch a person transform because of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ is one of the most beautiful things to
behold in this life. It is such an honor to walk with the Savior in
this work of salvation. He is my best and closest friend and I know
that all that I am and all that I can become is because of Him.
How exciting to look forward this weekend to Easter, the celebration
of the Savior conquering physical death after He first conquered
spiritual death. I hope we each remember what this holiday really is
all about. Remember that it is because of Him that you can do all
things. The Church has put out a media blitz to help raise attention
to remind each of us what we are really celebrating this weekend. If
you haven't already, share on Facebook or any media site what
blessings you have in your life because of Christ and add the hashtag
#BecauseofHim. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your
testimony of our Savior! Also, go to Easter.mormon.org and watch and
share the beautiful video put together about Christ!
Most of all, don't forget to pray and thank Heavenly Father for all of
your blessings that are possible because of Jesus Christ.
I love you all so much and I sure love being a missionary!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
baptism this weekend. Have you ever met someone and had the strangest
feeling that you already knew them and that you'll know them forever?
That's how it is with these two. I'm so grateful to be a part of their
lives and to have had the opportunity to teach the fullness of
Christ's gospel to Lawrence. One of the happiest moments for a
missionary is to sit in front of the baptismal font and watch someone
get baptized that you have taught and loved and prayed for and
sometimes even cried for. To watch a person transform because of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ is one of the most beautiful things to
behold in this life. It is such an honor to walk with the Savior in
this work of salvation. He is my best and closest friend and I know
that all that I am and all that I can become is because of Him.
How exciting to look forward this weekend to Easter, the celebration
of the Savior conquering physical death after He first conquered
spiritual death. I hope we each remember what this holiday really is
all about. Remember that it is because of Him that you can do all
things. The Church has put out a media blitz to help raise attention
to remind each of us what we are really celebrating this weekend. If
you haven't already, share on Facebook or any media site what
blessings you have in your life because of Christ and add the hashtag
#BecauseofHim. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your
testimony of our Savior! Also, go to Easter.mormon.org and watch and
share the beautiful video put together about Christ!
Most of all, don't forget to pray and thank Heavenly Father for all of
your blessings that are possible because of Jesus Christ.
I love you all so much and I sure love being a missionary!
Love, Sister Amber Flower Ricks
 |
| Sometimes you have to iron your bed... ya know? :) |
 |
| Right after a lesson with Lauren :) |
 |
| The wedding |
 |
| Me and the bride! |
 |
| The baptism |
 |
| Hermana Jett! |
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