My Dear Family,
HOLY SMOKES! Today makes 19 months! Can you believe it? To me, it has been the fastest and best 19 months of my entire life. I am so thankful for this opportunity that I have to serve the Lord. I love putting on my name tag every day and seeing the name of the Savior right below mine. It is a privilege to wear it above my heart. I am thankful for my family as well. More than you all know. What an awesome time of year it is. This is my absolute favorite time of year. Christmas time here is alot like how it is back home: everyone thinks about Christ and his birth. People are more friendly, offer more service, and are more humble, and charitable, just like Christ was. How great it would be if the whole world thought they way they do for 364 days more. It would be a different place. That is what I love about being a missionary. For 19 months straight, I have thought about Christ, daily. I have daily tried to match my life after his. I have taught others about him. I have helped others follow his example. For 19 months I have been completely surrounded by His spirit, blessings and protection. Its no wonder there has been such a change in me. It is no wonder that it will do the same to Michael and Chandler when you both put on a name tag and a tie. You will feel it.
It has been an awesome week! Elder Del Valle and I have really worked hard and we are having so much success right now. We are working hard with part member families. In many cases, we have to re-activate those who are members, then baptize those who aren't yet baptized! I continually think about me and my family as I see and teach other families. We are working with very special people and they are all so excited to be baptized. We didn't baptize this week, but we have one for this Saturday and two for the next. Our goal is to have a WHITE CHRISTMAS or be in the font, dressed in white, every week in December! So far, we are on track and so so so excited to be together. I am going to cry like a girl when they change Elder Del Valle as my companion. He is a Mexican version of Jonas, mixed with a little of Andy, my cousin. Ha ha He is so excited to work and focused on improving always. He has taught me a lot about being a leader and better missionary.
I wish we could all be together at this time of year, but I wouldn't rather be anywhere else. I am comforted and at peace to know that you are all blessed and protected. I have the fondest memories of these times of year. I remember driving around to see Christmas lights, eggnog, Christmas with Delilah, those spiky glass bulbs that break way easy, Family Goal Setting that will soon take place, when we did 12 days of Christmas for the Cline Family, sitting in church as a family the Sunday after Christmas, more annoying Delila, and Christmas dinner. I remember singing and crying along with dad in his truck as we listened to "Christmas Shoes." The other day, a member had that song on their laptop playing. I cried like a girl and remembered how much Dad loved that song. I thought about my mom. In the song it talks about how much he loved his mom. I love mine too.
I am so thankful for the Savior. As we think about him this time of year, lets help others who don't know about him, come unto to him. I promise you continued blessings and satisfaction when we help others partake of the blessings that we enjoy so much. I love you all. Thank you for your love, support, prayers, emails, and smiles. You are all a great motivation to me. Love you tons.
Elder James Ricks
I am excited to receive the package! I am positive that everything will be awesome! I should get the package really fast. In these months, the mission receives truck loads of packages and Pdte and his wife, run special trips to deliver the packages. They make sure that everyone gets it on time! I am planning on sending my package this next Monday. Be looking for it Friday of the next week, or if not, Monday of the following. I am going to give one final look over my application. I felt inspired to look over it again. I love you so much. Thanks for everything!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Holy Smokes its Thanksgiving!
My Dear Dear Dear Dear Family,
Another week gone by. I swear every Monday comes faster and faster. The time flies so fast when you are 100% dedicated to the Lord. I love how it feels. I feel so satisfied with my life. I couldn't have anything better. Elder Del Valle are a divine companionship. I love him so much. This last week has been one of the best of my whole mission. Elder Del Valle has really tried to improve in some areas of obedience and I am so proud of him. He is my "son", and I am glad to be his "Dad". I can only imagine how it must be to have a REAL son. I am sure Mom and Dad are so proud of me. That is what motivates me to be the best missionary I possibly can. Pdte. Hansen always use to say, "Be the missionary you're mother thinks you are." How motivating that is. It has shaped my mission and I have received so many blessings from my obedience. There are some missionaries that just don't understand it. It doesn't matter how small or how insignificant a rule or guideline may be... it exists to protect us. When we obey celestial laws and rules, two things occur. First, we are blessed for blindly obeying, when often we may not understand why. And second, we wax stronger in the presence of God. That means, we obtain power to continue doing the right. When we obey, we obtain more strength to continue choosing the right. Its like a drug. We want more and more. Nephi in the scriptures was given power to do anything he wanted. God told him that he was given that power for his obedience and faith in his word. God said that he could level mountains, dry rivers, part seas and do miracles. But the Father further explained that this power or confidence was given to Nephi, because he knew that Nephi would never do anything if it wasn't the will of the father. As a missisonary, I strive to do his will not mine, so that I too, may have power to effect miracles in the lives of others.
This week, was a week of blessings and a huge miracle. We had a young man who was on track to get baptized this Saturday, but ALL week, we couldn't find him. His family had told us that he had began working and was in final exams at school and we were so worried we weren't going to be able to find him. We prayed as companions for strength and guidance and to know what to do. I had to go to Veracruz to finalize more visa papers and my companion stayed in the area on divisions and that night, at about 8:45, they found him. We finished teaching what he needed to know, and interviewed him, and Sunday morning at 8am was baptized. His name is MandaÍ. He is an awesome young man and has had to change many things. I am proud of him for the decision he made to follow the Savior and be baptized. In the prayer that he offered in his baptismal service he said, "God, I thank you for allowing me to be baptized and to be a member of thy true church." I can't explain how good that feels. I am constantly awed and amazed at the love Jesus offers me and the children of God I teach. Elder Del Valle are so excited for this week. We don't have any sure sure sure baptism dates, but we don't deny that miracles exist.
I am so glad to hear that everyone is doing better. I can only imagine Dad hobbling around the house and Grace doing sign language in a cast. Ha Ha Ha I love you all so much. I am excited to see the success and blessings that we receive as a family. Let us always remember him and not let what happened to the Lamanites in the cycle of pride. Mexico's number one problem and the biggest trial people I have met face is falling in pride and forgetting God. It is sad to see it, but it comforts me to know that I can help. I am so happy.
Elder James Ricks
Mom,
For the package, garments new white shirts would be awesome, like 2 or three I think. I don't plan on bringing anything home clothing wise in five months. I am great on razors as well! I am also good on shoes and belts and pants. But I could use new socks. I am good on flash drive as well. Anything fun is great! I am confident with the application as it is. I couldn't think of anything else to put. I will give it a look over real quick. I say we are good to go ahead and pay the fee and get it submitted. Thank you for all your hard work and support. Tell each and every one of the kids that I love them so much. I can't wait to hug them all to death! Love YOU!
Another week gone by. I swear every Monday comes faster and faster. The time flies so fast when you are 100% dedicated to the Lord. I love how it feels. I feel so satisfied with my life. I couldn't have anything better. Elder Del Valle are a divine companionship. I love him so much. This last week has been one of the best of my whole mission. Elder Del Valle has really tried to improve in some areas of obedience and I am so proud of him. He is my "son", and I am glad to be his "Dad". I can only imagine how it must be to have a REAL son. I am sure Mom and Dad are so proud of me. That is what motivates me to be the best missionary I possibly can. Pdte. Hansen always use to say, "Be the missionary you're mother thinks you are." How motivating that is. It has shaped my mission and I have received so many blessings from my obedience. There are some missionaries that just don't understand it. It doesn't matter how small or how insignificant a rule or guideline may be... it exists to protect us. When we obey celestial laws and rules, two things occur. First, we are blessed for blindly obeying, when often we may not understand why. And second, we wax stronger in the presence of God. That means, we obtain power to continue doing the right. When we obey, we obtain more strength to continue choosing the right. Its like a drug. We want more and more. Nephi in the scriptures was given power to do anything he wanted. God told him that he was given that power for his obedience and faith in his word. God said that he could level mountains, dry rivers, part seas and do miracles. But the Father further explained that this power or confidence was given to Nephi, because he knew that Nephi would never do anything if it wasn't the will of the father. As a missisonary, I strive to do his will not mine, so that I too, may have power to effect miracles in the lives of others.
This week, was a week of blessings and a huge miracle. We had a young man who was on track to get baptized this Saturday, but ALL week, we couldn't find him. His family had told us that he had began working and was in final exams at school and we were so worried we weren't going to be able to find him. We prayed as companions for strength and guidance and to know what to do. I had to go to Veracruz to finalize more visa papers and my companion stayed in the area on divisions and that night, at about 8:45, they found him. We finished teaching what he needed to know, and interviewed him, and Sunday morning at 8am was baptized. His name is MandaÍ. He is an awesome young man and has had to change many things. I am proud of him for the decision he made to follow the Savior and be baptized. In the prayer that he offered in his baptismal service he said, "God, I thank you for allowing me to be baptized and to be a member of thy true church." I can't explain how good that feels. I am constantly awed and amazed at the love Jesus offers me and the children of God I teach. Elder Del Valle are so excited for this week. We don't have any sure sure sure baptism dates, but we don't deny that miracles exist.
I am so glad to hear that everyone is doing better. I can only imagine Dad hobbling around the house and Grace doing sign language in a cast. Ha Ha Ha I love you all so much. I am excited to see the success and blessings that we receive as a family. Let us always remember him and not let what happened to the Lamanites in the cycle of pride. Mexico's number one problem and the biggest trial people I have met face is falling in pride and forgetting God. It is sad to see it, but it comforts me to know that I can help. I am so happy.
Elder James Ricks
Mom,
For the package, garments new white shirts would be awesome, like 2 or three I think. I don't plan on bringing anything home clothing wise in five months. I am great on razors as well! I am also good on shoes and belts and pants. But I could use new socks. I am good on flash drive as well. Anything fun is great! I am confident with the application as it is. I couldn't think of anything else to put. I will give it a look over real quick. I say we are good to go ahead and pay the fee and get it submitted. Thank you for all your hard work and support. Tell each and every one of the kids that I love them so much. I can't wait to hug them all to death! Love YOU!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
November 14, 2011
My Dear Family,
I pray for you all as I read your letters and experiences from this last week. I hope you are all okay and well. I am too. It has been a great week and as always, I haven´t stopped thinking about you all! But instead of distracting me or making me homesick, the memories I have of my family are what motivate me to find more families, so that they can have the same blessings I have. I know the Lord has blessed me and my family as I serve him. This week we celebrated Dad's surgery and Graces broken arm with a baptismal service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We baptized Alicia and her 10 year old son, Bersain. "Bersain" means 'God of Love' in a mexican dialect. Cool right? It was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have ever been in. The best part was the when the leaders from every orginization of the ward got up after the baptism to welcome her to the ward. They all promised to help her any way possible and help her raise her two little boys. She is a single mother and gives everything for her family. She is alot like my own mother. She loves her family. She works every day from 4pm until 2:00am and gets home to sleep a few hours and wakes up early to get her son ready for school. And of course, is a single mother. She has such a sweet heart and loves when we are in her house with her. She told me the other day that since we began visiting her, she has felt more peace and comfort in her home. I couldn't hold back the tears as I remembered those same feelings from my own home. Peace and comfort. She is so happy to be a member of the church and her son as well. Every time we pray to leave her house, he offers to say the prayer. He loves praying and is so sincere. I am going to write down the words of his next prayer and send it to you.
It is amazing and such a blessing to see the changes in the lives of the people I teach. One of the best feelings in the whole world is listening to one of your converts thank you for helping them be baptized. You can't explain those feelings. I will forever be converted for the things I have seen and felt and learned here in the mission. I am so excited to hear about Jesse he has a world of experiences ahead of him. The gospel is true and it is a pleasure and blessing for me to be able to share it with all I see.
Elder Del Valle and I are on fire. We have gotten to know the area good and we are ready to hit this next change hard! I can't believe its already been six weeks with him. I only have 4 changes left. 24 weeks. I am excited for the future and am ready to work and give it all I have. I love you all so much and will pray extra hard for you all. Sometimes I feel so far away from you all. I would have loved to give a priesthood blessing to dad as he is recovering. Or hold little gracie in my ams and sign her cast. But the Lord needs me here. Its then, when I feel pretty far away, that I remember why I am here and I get to work. I know the Lord willl bless you all. It says so in the scriptures---D&C 31. Its a very real promise for me. I love you all. Dont you forget it.
Elder James Ricks
Mom, I am going to finish my essays today. I am also going to get the package in the mail if I have enough time. If not next week. Thank you for your love and prayers. You're the best.
I pray for you all as I read your letters and experiences from this last week. I hope you are all okay and well. I am too. It has been a great week and as always, I haven´t stopped thinking about you all! But instead of distracting me or making me homesick, the memories I have of my family are what motivate me to find more families, so that they can have the same blessings I have. I know the Lord has blessed me and my family as I serve him. This week we celebrated Dad's surgery and Graces broken arm with a baptismal service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We baptized Alicia and her 10 year old son, Bersain. "Bersain" means 'God of Love' in a mexican dialect. Cool right? It was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have ever been in. The best part was the when the leaders from every orginization of the ward got up after the baptism to welcome her to the ward. They all promised to help her any way possible and help her raise her two little boys. She is a single mother and gives everything for her family. She is alot like my own mother. She loves her family. She works every day from 4pm until 2:00am and gets home to sleep a few hours and wakes up early to get her son ready for school. And of course, is a single mother. She has such a sweet heart and loves when we are in her house with her. She told me the other day that since we began visiting her, she has felt more peace and comfort in her home. I couldn't hold back the tears as I remembered those same feelings from my own home. Peace and comfort. She is so happy to be a member of the church and her son as well. Every time we pray to leave her house, he offers to say the prayer. He loves praying and is so sincere. I am going to write down the words of his next prayer and send it to you.
It is amazing and such a blessing to see the changes in the lives of the people I teach. One of the best feelings in the whole world is listening to one of your converts thank you for helping them be baptized. You can't explain those feelings. I will forever be converted for the things I have seen and felt and learned here in the mission. I am so excited to hear about Jesse he has a world of experiences ahead of him. The gospel is true and it is a pleasure and blessing for me to be able to share it with all I see.
Elder Del Valle and I are on fire. We have gotten to know the area good and we are ready to hit this next change hard! I can't believe its already been six weeks with him. I only have 4 changes left. 24 weeks. I am excited for the future and am ready to work and give it all I have. I love you all so much and will pray extra hard for you all. Sometimes I feel so far away from you all. I would have loved to give a priesthood blessing to dad as he is recovering. Or hold little gracie in my ams and sign her cast. But the Lord needs me here. Its then, when I feel pretty far away, that I remember why I am here and I get to work. I know the Lord willl bless you all. It says so in the scriptures---D&C 31. Its a very real promise for me. I love you all. Dont you forget it.
Elder James Ricks
Mom, I am going to finish my essays today. I am also going to get the package in the mail if I have enough time. If not next week. Thank you for your love and prayers. You're the best.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Happy in November :)
Elder Ricks,Jose Alfredo Percastre Esteban and Elder Del Valle
Freezing in Mexico ??? This photo is from one night when it was like 3 degrees outside. It was SOOO Cold and I am not use to the cold! I thought you would like the photo all bundled up. An investigator gave me that hoody. Its from a soccer team here in Mexico called the Chivas! :)
My Dear Family,
What a week it has been! Lots of challenges, difficulties, miracles, blessings and laughs! I have never gotten along so good with a companion. I love Elder Del Valle and I am learning so much from him... Just think of that... I (his trainer) am learning from HIM! He is a strong tool in the hands of the Lord and I am stoked to be by his side. We baptized this last Saturday and it was a very special service. His name is Jose Alfredo Percastre Esteban and is 21 years old! We asked him to offer the final prayer in his baptism and it was one of the most special moments I have had in my mission. He said, "Thank you for letting me finally get baptized. I am so happy." 18 months ago, I never would have thought that those few words would bring so much satisfaction and joy to my soul. I am so different than before. I daily notice the changes for the better I have made.
We are really working hard with the members here. There is a huge lack of unity and love in the ward and it has been like this since we got here. They are screaming for an activity to bring everyone together and my companion and I have big plans. We rented Shakira to come. Ha ha Not true. I told that to a member the other day and she told said, "You really got Shakira to come to our Family Home Evening?!?!" Hahaha I love mexicans! I am one now! :)
I want you all to know that I love you. I have the best family in the whole world. I would give my life for anyone of you. I cannot believe how fast time is flying and that it is almost CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its not fair how fast the time flies by. I am so happy to be here and continue learning every day.
For now, I need to get going, so that I have time to finish my BYU applications and write Pdte. Trevino. I love you all so much. Thank you for your support. I loved the photos with the white scrony elders! hahaha They look like great missionaries! MUAH!
Elder James Ricks
Mom,
Check my essays. I finished the first five. What do you think? I feel confident about what I wrote and hope for the best. With my grades and ACT score I believe everything should be good. But fast and pray for me! I did recieve Grandma´s package. I am going to email her right now. It was like 300 dollars of food! I love her! :) As far as anything I need, it could use two new shirts. One long sleeved and one short. If you could find ones like the ones you sent last time that dont have buttons on the collar! I think just two is fine because even though I dont want to admit it, the time is short! I love you mom! Dont ever forget it.
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