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
Monday, June 30, 2014
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? :) |
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