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
Monday, April 28, 2014
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! |
Monday, April 7, 2014
Follow-Up
Hello friends and family of mine! What miracles have you seen today?
Where have you seen the hand of God in the last week? What
opportunities have you had to share the gospel? What was your favorite
General Conference talk?! Which temple did you get to visit this last
month? Who were you able to serve today? (This is my attempt to
convince you to write me a letter :D yes, you!)
I'm not sure if I live in Cape May or heaven. I have literally seen
miracles every single day! We are teaching the most incredible people
and we are having so much fun doing it. Sharing the gospel really is
so incredibly fun and brings lasting joy. I'm so grateful to be
learning this. Want an idea on how you can help the missionaries in a
simple way? Bake a batch of cookies, put together a few goodie plates
and give them to the missionaries to hand out. A woman did that up
here and it is so incredibly helpful! People are more likely to listen
to someone who is giving them goodies along with their message. Try
this little tip out and let me know how it goes :D (Remember how we
are supposed to "follow-up"? ;) )
Did you catch Elder Ballard's challenge to invite someone to take the
missionary lessons at least 4 times a year? 365 days in a year and
only 4 of them need to be dedicated to asking a simple question: "Can
I share with you what makes me and my family so happy?" Who is going
to be offended when you share happiness with them?
We had an investigator with us at General Conference who is scheduled
to be baptized on April 27th. After the session she said, "Can I get
baptized sooner? I don't want to put it off because I know this is
where I am supposed to be!" She referenced Gary Stevenson's talk and
said that she is in her 4-minutes and is tired of wasting time.
And who didn't love the push given to the younger generations in the
Church to hold firm to what we know to be true and be immoveable?
Anybody else realizing how strongly the leaders of the Church are
preparing us for what will be coming in the near future? Build your
testimonies now and build them strong!
I'm off to save the world of Cape May, but I sure love you all and
hope to hear how things are going! The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth with all of the
necessary authority given from God himself!
Love your faaaaaaaavorite New Jersey missionary, Sister Amber Ricks
Where have you seen the hand of God in the last week? What
opportunities have you had to share the gospel? What was your favorite
General Conference talk?! Which temple did you get to visit this last
month? Who were you able to serve today? (This is my attempt to
convince you to write me a letter :D yes, you!)
I'm not sure if I live in Cape May or heaven. I have literally seen
miracles every single day! We are teaching the most incredible people
and we are having so much fun doing it. Sharing the gospel really is
so incredibly fun and brings lasting joy. I'm so grateful to be
learning this. Want an idea on how you can help the missionaries in a
simple way? Bake a batch of cookies, put together a few goodie plates
and give them to the missionaries to hand out. A woman did that up
here and it is so incredibly helpful! People are more likely to listen
to someone who is giving them goodies along with their message. Try
this little tip out and let me know how it goes :D (Remember how we
are supposed to "follow-up"? ;) )
Did you catch Elder Ballard's challenge to invite someone to take the
missionary lessons at least 4 times a year? 365 days in a year and
only 4 of them need to be dedicated to asking a simple question: "Can
I share with you what makes me and my family so happy?" Who is going
to be offended when you share happiness with them?
We had an investigator with us at General Conference who is scheduled
to be baptized on April 27th. After the session she said, "Can I get
baptized sooner? I don't want to put it off because I know this is
where I am supposed to be!" She referenced Gary Stevenson's talk and
said that she is in her 4-minutes and is tired of wasting time.
And who didn't love the push given to the younger generations in the
Church to hold firm to what we know to be true and be immoveable?
Anybody else realizing how strongly the leaders of the Church are
preparing us for what will be coming in the near future? Build your
testimonies now and build them strong!
I'm off to save the world of Cape May, but I sure love you all and
hope to hear how things are going! The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth with all of the
necessary authority given from God himself!
Love your faaaaaaaavorite New Jersey missionary, Sister Amber Ricks
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