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!