Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Elder Ricks at Tajin Ruins


Tajin Ruins


Happy Halloween!


My Dear Family,

I can´t believe its Halloween! Halloween is so lame here in Mexico. It is mainly a Catholic holliday and everyone sets up altars to their dead family members and prays to saints to watch over them. But, there is one part of the Mexican Halloween that is amazing and that is Pan de Muerto. Bread of the Dead! Ha Ha It is a speacial type of bread that only is made for three weeks of the year and it is delicious! This week has been so amazing. We didn´t baptize because our investigator didn´t get married becasue his divorce papers never came through. This week, the 5th, we have a young man named Alfredo! He is AMAZING! He showed up alone to church and wants to be a missionary! He is 21 years old and lives here in Poza Rica. He is studying in a university here to be an engineer. This week, we had 10 investigators in church and they are all looking good for their baptismal dates. I love working with a new missionary because they are so ready to work and are full of the spirit! We are working hard right now and working with the members. Members are key in mission work and we are helping re-activate families and organizing activities to bring investigators. I am so excited to be a missionary and light it up in these last six months. Today I started a diet and am doing ejercicio every day before I hop in the freezing cold shower. The weather here right now is so perfect! It is warm in the day and FREEZING FREEZING at night. When the sun goes down, the whole world puts on sweaters, coats, hats, gloves and drinks hot chocolate with pan de muerto. It is a speacial time of year and I can´t believe another year is coming to an end. 2011 has treated me so good. It started with trials and obstacles and as I look back, I can clearly see the progress I have personally made and that we have made as a family. Last night I dreamed that you all came to visit me here in the mission. It was funny because I took you all around to visit my converts and investigators and then I gave you my hammock to take home. Ha Ha I enjoyed pretending that I was with you all! How awesome it will be to all be together again. I have so much to tell you all and so many stories and pictures to show! I think about you all daily and am so thankful for you love and support!!! I am going to end the letter a little early today so I can spend some time on my BYU application.
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Elder James Ricks

Mom, I didn´t want to tell you because I wanted it to be a supprise but I need some info for a package I am sending home in DHL, the only safe and secure mailing store I can find here in Poza Rica. It will be about 600 pesos (about $55) to send the 5 kilo box and it will arrive in 4-5 business days. I am going to send it this next monday. What is the complete address of the new house!? WIth zip codes and everything! I was wondering if there is money on my card to take out to mail it. It will be my package to you all! When it comes, feel free to open it up and check out all that I send! I am sending photos, letters, gifts, and things I have been given! Get online and check out my application and the essays I´m about to write in. Let me know what you think. This Wednesday will be my interview with President Trevino! Then should I scan the document to you or does he have to sign anything or whats up? Thanks! LOVE YOU!

One Year, 6 Months!

Nestor, Elder Ricks & Elder Del Valle


Elder Ricks, Luz Mireya & Elder Del Valle

MY DEAR FAMILY,

I cannot believe the speed at which the time is flying by. We have had such an amazing week. I am in love with my new area and so excited for the challenges and experiences it has to present. I feel so weird. I don´t feel like a young missionary anymore. I have been thinking alot about my mission this last week and where I have come from and where I want to go. When I was in the airport with the General Authorities, Elder Thomas told me, "Finish the race running. You´ve almost made it." I have thought alot about what I want to accomplish in these last six months. Later, my companion and I we´re studying and watching some Preach My Gospel training movies and one elder commented, "I´m in the last six months of my mission. Its my time to shine." Elder Ricks is about to explode with energy and excitement. It is MY time to shine and put EVERYTHING I have learned in 18 months to practice. I am ever so confident and not comfortable. That means I feel confident in knowing what I need to do, and not being comfortable, means I wont settle for anything less. Here. We. Go.

Elder Del Valle is one the best missionaries I know. He got to the field so ready and excited to work. It reminds me alot of me when I got here. He is my fourth "son" or new missionary that I have trained and we have loved these three weeks together! Last week, like I mentioned we baptized two people, Luz Mireya and Nestor. They are both so special to me. I am going to send pictures. Nestor can´t wait to be a missionary. Elder Del Valle is from Cuernavaca, Mexico and comes from an all member family. He has a huge testimony and he really loves the work.

This last week has been so hard. We had low numbers and we fought alot with keeping up the excitement. Sunday night I just sat down with my companion and told him we had to talk. We talked about what we are doing good, what we need to change and we set goals to be a divine companionship like Elder Holland has challenged us as missionaries to be. I have thought more and more about my family. It feels weird to know that in six months I will be with all of you again. I am excited and nervous. I have changed so much and I know you will all be like, "Wow... Who is this guy?" Ha ha But that is okay. That's what I want you to say.

So many missionaries try to live their missions to make it like other missionaries missions. I am so blessed and content to have lived (up until now) the mission I have been blessed with. It was and is EXACTLY what I needed to save myself. I will never be the same. Serving my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ has SAVED MY LIFE: I now know who I am but more importantly, I now understand, who HE is. I love him so much. He died on the cross for me. He only wants that each one of us, follows his example.

Yesterday after church, and such a hard week of difficulties and obstacles, we found a mine of gods chosen children. We were half way through the lesson and the mother we were teaching asked me, "How much time do I need to baptize me and what are the requirements." With tears in my eyes as I right these very words, I testify that she has been the product, or project of the work of angels. She has been prepared to hear the gospel and accepted a baptismal date along with her husband and children for the 12 of November. Mike and Chandler, buckle up for the most satisfying thing you have done it your entire lives.

I love my eternal family. I write in my journal daily about you all. I am not kidding, In six months I want you to read all my journals. You will see. I kneel and pray daily for each one of you. Gosh I just love you all so much. I am entering the last few seconds of the "game" as dad explained as I hugged him goodbye at the parking lot of the MTC. I am in the fourth quarter and there is two minutes left. I am going to slam dunk it at the buzzer. We are the Ricks. Let's kick some Satan booty. Love you all!

Elder James Ricks

I'm Legal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Dear Family,

It has been a crazy week as Im sure that you´ve all heard! I recieved a call this last thursday from the Mission Presidents secretary saying that there were problems with my visa. I was booked a flight from Veracruz to Mexico City on Monday morning. I left Monday morning at 6:10 and got to D.F. at about 8 o clock. I was taken by a member to the embassy and there arranged all my papers and fixed the problems. The problem was this... when I signed my passport, I was about 15 years old. When I signed my name, I didn´t have a signature in that time so I just wrote my name in cursive. Now, in August when I went to renew my visa to stay here in Mexico, I signed the papers with the signature that I now have and when the two documents got to Mexico they saw two differenct signatures and obviously thought there was a problem. I had to go to the embassy and testify that I am me and that I am legal and explain the reason for the two different signatures. It was a big mess for something so little but everything is all good now!

The coolest part was that when I was in the airport, I met 3 general authorities! I was there with the the area presidency of Mexico! Elder Johnson, Elder De Hoyos, and Elder Duncan as well as Elder Thomas the executive secretary for Mexico and all their wives! I went alone to Mexico so I didn´t have a companion so Elder Johnson told me that he wanted to be my companion until his plane left! They were all headed to Villahermosa! Elder De Hoyos bought me a sandwich and drink because I hadn´t eaten all day long! After they had left, I was waiting in my terminal for my flight that left at 6:20pm and up came a big old guy from Oklahoma. I began to talk to him and found out the he and all his family are members. He is the owner of an mining company here in Mexico and told me he sees hi8s family every two or three weeks and only has 2 or three days with them. I couldn´t help but share our story. I told him, "Brother I´m not your son. But I want you to know that your wife and sons (he has 5 boys, the oldest about to head out to the mission) really appreciate what you are doing for them. They are so thankful for you and your efforts to provide for them." I cried like a girl! :) I couldn´t help but remember my own dad. I learned alot yesterday. I was interviewed by the Elders from the 70 and they all gave me great advice and counsel when I asked how I can be an effective missionary! I love my calling and I love my family. I was so so so tempted to buy a calling card and call home when I was in the airport! Ha ha Not allowed! :) I have to get going for now, but next week, I don´t believe there will be any problems! I love you all so much and know you are all blessed and protected! I am back safe and sound here in Poza Rica again! OH!!!!!! This week we baptized Nestor and Luz Mirella! Pictures next week! Love you all!

Elder James R. Ricks

Mexico Area Presidency

Elder Daniel L. Johnson

Elder Benjamin De Hoyos



Elder Kevin R. Duncan

Visa Issues - No Letter Today :(

Brother and Sister Ricks,

Your son, Elder Ricks, had some minor issues with his visa. The church offices in Mexico City asked us to send him to Mexico City for one day to resolve this minor issue. Everything will be taken care of. Don´t worry about your son. He is in good care. He left to Mexico City this morning and he will be arriving back here tonight. He can´t write you today because he will be gone all day. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call me here in the offices, or to email me back.


Elder Fullmer
Secretario del Presidente

Misión México Veracruz
¡Cada Semana!

New area and new experiences

Leadership Conference in Veracruz

My Dear Family,

It has been an amazing, emotionally charged few days! We have been extremely busy but my new companion and I are so excited to be together! His name is Elder Del Valle and is from Cuernavaca, Mexico, where Dan Snyder served his mission! I love my new area and the members here. There are so many things I have to tell you but this p-day we got way way way busy and we ran out of time. I just want you all to know that I am great, happy, and so excited to get to work here in this AMAZING city! Oh! GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got the package! It was a miracle from Heavenly Father that I got it! I left Tuxtepec last Monday at 10:20pm and the member who received the package received it at 9:30! We rushed to meet each other and I hopped on the bus to Veracruz! I got the package! What a miracle and blessing! I loved the cookies and the candy and the clothes and the letters! The banana bread, unfortunately, didn't make it. It got to my hands rather green, but I am thankful for the effort! I am bummed that I have so short time, but I will fill you all in this next week! We have two baptisms this week, Nestor, and Luz Mirella! Their stories will come next week too! I love you all! Thank you for your good examples, faith, and love! I love you all so much! Until next week.... One, big, huge, juicy, photo-filled letter to come in exactly 8 days! You are my strength and my best friends

Elder James Ricks

Poza Rica, El Tajin Mexico

The structure is very rare, more than 150 buildings were identified on the site, although so far, only twenty have been excavated and restored. Most archaeological sites are still buried under a mound of earth and grass, El Tajin is one of the archaeological sites of Mexico’s most mysterious.

Of the twenty or more structures so far excavated and restored, one of the most interesting is the 60-meter-high pyramid los Nicho (niche Pyramid), the recess 365, painted red to blue to inside the frame, the archaeologists said that the pyramid is used as a kind of devices for measuring time.


Friezes and reliefs depicting scenes from the rule of starch and other ceremonies.

Poza Rica (formally: Poza Rica de Hidalgo) is a city and its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Its name means "rich pool", because it was a place known for its abundance of fish. In this century oil was discovered in the area. It has since been almost completely extracted. This resulted in the decline of oil well exploration and drilling activities but there are many oil refineries.

It shares borders with the municipalities of Papantla, Tihuatlán, and Coatzintla, and stands on Federal Highway 180. The archaeological zone of El Tajín is located approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Poza Rica. The area is intensely tropical, with two popular beaches within one hour, Tuxpan, and Tecolutla, and one within 40 minutes, Cazones. Mexico City is about 220 kilometers (140 mi) from Poza Rica. Unlike most Mexican cities, it does not have old buildings because it is a new city founded officially on November 20, 1951. For that reason it has contemporary architecture with well-lined and designed streets with a modern look. While the petroleum industry features heavily amongst the industrial landscape in Poza Rica, the city also has a wide variety of other industries. As one of the largest and most populous cities in Veracruz, Poza Rica is an important industrial and commercial center, and central hub for several road transportation lines. The city has recently seen a lot of growth, with several commercial centers opening around the city.

Located in the state of Veracruz, El Tajin was at its height from the early 9th to the early 13th century. It became the most important centre in north-east Mesoamerica after the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. Its cultural influence extended all along the Gulf and penetrated into the Maya region and the high plateaux of central Mexico. Its architecture, which is unique in Mesoamerica, is characterized by elaborate carved reliefs on the columns and frieze. The 'Pyramid of the Niches', a masterpiece of ancient Mexican and American architecture, reveals the astronomical and symbolic significance of the buildings. El Tajin has survived as an outstanding example of the grandeur and importance of the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico.

Leaving Tuxtepec tomorrow!

My Dear Family,

I cannot believe that Conferencia General rolled around again! I feel like just yesterday I was talking about how it feels to hear the Prophets voice. Being a missionary has taught me to appreciate conference so much! I am so excited to watch conference together as a family! Even though, conference has really made it an amaing week, it has been so sad and hard. I will be changed tomorrow and it is not easy and not fun changing areas, when I have grown to love the members, investigators, and area so much.

On Saturday, President informed me with AMAZING news! He has assigned me to train another new missionary! It will be my fourth and I am so so so so excited to put into practice all that I have learned and help this new missionary to be an awesome tool in the hands of the Lord. I am so sad to leave Elder Gonzalez. I love him like a brother. I am sad to leave this awesome ward and all the friends I have made here. I made all the poor relief society sisters cry like little girls when I told them I would be leaving and they all fought to sign up for my "last food appointment!" Ha ha I love Tuxtepec 1 and am excited to come back and visit after the mission with all of you!

My new area is in one of the zones where I have always wanted to go in the mission! I am going to Poza Rica to the Petromex Ward! It is a beautiful part of Veracruz with so many historical sites to visit. One site is called "Tajin" and I´ll let you just look up pictures on Google of Tajin and you´ll know all about where I am going! Tajin is about 30 minutes from where I am going to be serving! I am so excited to work and concentrate in my area on my investigators. I have loved every minute of being a zone leader. I have grown so much and feel like I have been a helpful tool in the hands of the Lord. I feel so grateful to have been trusted as a zone leader and even more for this chance I have to train.... AGAIN! There are some missionaries who don´t even get to train one time and I´m going for number 4! I am excited like I said, to help a new missionary become strong and powerful and effective, in the Veracruz Mexico Mission... the best mission in the whole world!

Conference was just simply amazing. I loved every single talk and again was blessed to be able to watch it in English! Of all that I heard and learned, I feel like there is just one thing I should comment or mention. And it is for my best brothers.... Michael and Chandler. I have thought alot about the example I am putting for you two. I want you to serve missions, but someone way more important than me, also wants you to serve the Lord. And that is your Father in Heaven. I want you both to study and read the talk by W. Christopher Waddel from the Priesthood session. He talked about repentance, sacrifice and the most important, mission preparation. I loved the three points he mentioned that every missionary candidate should have, arriving at the curb of the MTC.

1) Arrive with a testimony of the Book of Mormon

-This is achieved by reading and studying DAILY and asking and praying to know of God if it is true.

2) Arrive worthy of the Holy Ghost

-This step starts way before you put on a missionary name tag. It starts even before we begin to fill in our mission papers. I know you are both amazing priesthood holders. Continue just the way you are and I promise you the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We can´t do this work without it.

3) Arrive ready to work.

-Boys...... you´ve only got 2 years to serve the Lord and all of eternity to think about it. Get ready to work your tails off and feel daily like a tool in the hand of an Almighty God.

I am so thankful for my younger brothers. They are such a good example to me. Sometimes I feel like I am Laman and Lemuel from the Book of Mormon, whose younger brother Nephi was their good example. Mike and Chandler, you are such good examples to me and I am thankful for you. I am thank you for you as well Dad. Who knows where I would be without you. Not here in the mission. I am thankful for you Mom. I can´t believe how much you love me. Hannah I am thankful for you. You are one of my closest friends. Claire and Grace, you are my motivation and the reason I walk around all day with a smile! I want to be good missionary so that you when you are older, will have a great ex-missionary as a husband! I love you all and daily thank the Lord for the blessing you are in my life. Until next week... be safe and pray that every thing goes smoothly between all the changes! Love you!

Elder James Ricks

Mom... The package still hasn´t arrived yet. I dont know where it would be. I have called the sister whose house it normally gets to and she says that they haven't seen anything. My companion is going to pass it along to me when it gets here. It shouldn´t take too much longer. As far as what I could use for the next package, like two more shirts would be perfect and maybe one pair of pants. I just keep loosing weight and they are getting a little loose! :) I actually just bought new gym shoes becasue the ones I brought were destroyed in a service project we did last year when hurricane Karl hit. I am good on medicine, clothes, shoes, and the basics. I will write the essays this week. I also have permission to log on and check out the application and work on it a little. I can´t be on it all day, but I can to get on and work on the essays. I am so excited to go there. Pray for me and that I get accepted! Love you Mom! Keep up all the good work! :)