On the Way Home!

My Dear Family,

I never ever imagined how hard it would be to write this letter. I haven´t cried in an Internet cafe for a while. I cannot believe that I am writing home as a full time missionary for the last time. So many emotions and thoughts and feelings are running 1,000 miles an hour through my mind. It has been an amazing week. I have worked so hard and I am so so so happy to finish and complete my offering to the Lord. This last week, we had my last baptism, Yarhedi Huerta Vazquez. She is so special to me and I love her and her family. It was such a special baptism and I had the blessing and opportunity to enter into the water one last time as a missionary and baptize her.

It has been hard to say goodbye to so many friends and "family" here in Veracruz. Dad was completely right... It is way harder to come back from a mission, than it was to leave. I am so eternally thankful to my Father in Heaven for the blessing and opportunity that I have had for 24 amazing months to serve him as a full time missionary. My life will never be the same and I am eternally indebted with him. I am so excited to see you all. You are all my very best friends. I don´t know who, were what I´d be if it weren´t for each and everyone of you. I have learned so much being a missionary. It has been the best experience of my life.

NASA understands how it is finishing a mission. Two years ago I blasted off from Mission Control. In my journal today, I wrote "T-minus four days..." But then I realized that it was actually more like a re-entry. The blast off is always the best part to watch. I loved watching the shuttle hurtle towards the heavens and see the huge trail of smoke left behind. I loved blasting off personally two years ago into "heaven on earth" and embarking in this, the work of the Lord. But what is the most spectacular, jaw-dropping, astounding blast off worth without the re-entry. Just as you are all making preparations for re-entry, I am as well. I have set goals, made plans and established standards. I have been thinking about this day, my last letter home, for two years, thinking about what I would say and how I would feel. I definitely am not sad to finish this part of my life. Let me explain a little better. It is hard to realize that this chapter of my life is drawing to a close, but if we think about it, the mission is only the MTC for the rest of my life. I experience the most overwhelming sense and feeling of peace and happiness to think that I am finishing my mission with honor. It is such a sacred blessing to me. I have an eternity to think about every single minute spent, miracle seen, and heart touched. I am definitely feeling nostalgic, but not sad. I have my favorite 7 people on the face of this green earth waiting with arms open. I have so much to be thankful for. I want to close my lest letter as a representative of Jesus Christ with my testimony. It is personally mine and I found it here in the mission.

I know that God is my Eternal Father. I know that he knows me better than anyone else. I will always make him proud. I know that Jesus the Christ is my Savior and Redeemer who has personally and intimately paid for each and every one of my mistakes. I have felt his power and the power of the Atonement. I have been "born of the Spirit." I know that we are not members of just some other fancy church with pretty buildings and "nice" morals. We are members of the ONLY true and real Church of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His church was lost from the face of the Earth for so many years. Joseph Smith was called by God to bring back the blessings of exaltation. I testify that if we do our part, we will return to his presence. I know without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I had never read in entirely before the mission. That has changed. It is my favorite book and in it, I can find REAL answers straight from God for me, personally. I know the the Ricks family, is "tough as bricks" and we will be together forever. May you all feel the love and respect that I have for each one of you. May you know how grateful I am to be your son/older brother/friend. May God be with you till we meet again. Oh so soon.
Con todo el amor mexicano, veracruzano, y tejano que tengo,

For the last time, we´ll see ya´ll in a few!

Elder James Reed Ricks

I would love Dad´s famous breakfast tacos for breakfast. I will make the salsa and guacamole! :)
Lunch... I don´t know. I haven´t eaten "lunch" for more than two years because here "lunch" is really "dinner"... I´ll leave that one up to you!

Dinner.... Hmmm... That is a hard one. I think I will need to go with the Chicken noodle soup, with the whole baby carrot. :)

Mom...
You have successfully raised a full-time, honorably released son. May you feel the satisfaction and gratitude that our Heavenly Father has for you and for what you´ve done to help ME help so many people here in Veracruz. You're the best. I´ve got my cheek all ready for three days. :)

My Joy is Full

Dear Family,  

The time on my mission runs through my hands like water. I feel more happier than I have ever felt in my entire existence. Not just because I will see my best friends in 11 days, but because I am satisfied with my offering to the Lord. I have so much to say about that, and not enough time to do it, so we´ll leave that conversation for Thursday night, the 3rd of May.    We had such a successful week this last week, and we will be baptizing my last week as a missionary!!!!!! We baptized two amazing young people, Yarhedi and Daniel. Yarhedi is 13 and is a really special girl. From the first lesson she accepted baptism and even though she was faced with trials and obstacles, she followed the example of Jesus Christ and was baptized. I had the privilege of doing the ordinance. Daniel is 12 and is a super awesome young guy, ready to receive the priesthood and prepare to go on a mission. He lives with his family who are all members that we helped the ward re-activate. They were confirmed this Sunday and have really been drawn into the activities and fellowshipped by the ward. Yarhedi offered the final prayer in the baptismal service and the poor thing just couldn`t make it through without crying. She thanked our Father in Heaven for the blessing it was to be baptized and be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.    We are so blessed. Elder Mathias and I worked our tails off and even though my feet still hurt me every now and then, we were able to complete with all our goals for this week! Elder Mathias has some back problems, so tomorrow, he has an appointment with the back doctor. I sure love Elder Mathias; he has taught me a lot and I am thankful to have him as a companion. He has some funny/weird/outrageous ideas. We have found so many new people to teach. I feel exactly how Dad said he felt his last week as a missionary; not afraid to talk to anyone. We are working hard and I am so proud to say that I am finishing the mission strong. Jonas sent me a funny email today. He said, "Promise me that you will work up until the very last second. And if I know you at all, you will!" I really have some great friends and I am so thankful for all the blessings I have.    In the MTC, almost two years ago, Elder Holland came and talked to all the young missionaries getting ready to hit the field. He told us, "You better come back with at least one convert... And it better be you." I can testify with all the power and strength that I have, that I am now a TRUE convert to the church. I will never leave behind what I have seen here and taught and done, and preached. In the missionary handbook, it teaches us to live worthily of the respect and gratitude that the people that we have been able to help, have for us. I am so thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have learned so much about him and myself here in the field. This is the only time I will ever have to work shoulder to shoulder with the Lord in his work so directly. I love Doctrine and Covenants 39:7&13. I found that a few days ago and I love how specific that is for me. Check it out and ya´ll understand. :)    It blows my mind that I will be home in 11 days. I am exited and ready for the next chapter of my life. May you all understand, feel, and know that I love you all so much. Until we meet again. :) My joy is full. 

Elder James Reed Ricks

My Dear Family,

   I cannot believe that there are only two p-days left. The time is flying so fast! We have been working so hard and it has been absolutely crazy here in Camino Real. Today, I received the flight plans for my trip home and I land at 5:45pm. I really don´t know what to think. So many emotions and thoughts. So much excitement and so many tears. But I will continue running till the end and I am so happy to be a missionary. This last week was a little rough! I have some SEVERE blisters on the bottoms of both of my feet. I bought some new shoes and the sole is kind of thin so I think that is why. Long story, short... I had to go to the doctor and they cut all the blisters off. She told me that I had to rest 8 days and I told the doctor, "I cant right now. I will rest in two weeks!" She thought it was funny, and I still think she thought I was kidding, but I wasn´t. There is no way on this big green earth, that I am going to sit on my butt for the last weeks of my mission. The good news is that my blisters are alot better now. I can walk at normal speed now and I am READY TO GO! I am preparing for final approach and making preparations.

  We had a baptism that fell through this last week for a time. The sister and her daughter were really short on time for Spring Break vacations and we re-put her date for this Thursday. We will be having 3 this Thursday and I am so excited! We also have a date for my last week, the 26th! I cannot believe I will not be having baptismal services anymore. That is so sad and it makes me want to work my tail off. It is hard realizing that this is all winding down. But I am excited to put in practice everything I have learned.

   This week, we found a 75 year old woman, named Esther. She heard of the church from a friend she has in another state here in Mexico. She told Esther to find the "mormon temple" and attend one Sunday. So she did. But the ward she went to was really far away from her house, so the missionaries wrote down her direction and passed the reference. She accepted a baptismal date from the first lesson and reminds me so much of Grandma Ricks. She shakes our hands with her two hands and the way that she looks us in the eyes and tearfully thanks us for having visited her, and the way she slightly tilts her head reminds me of my guardian angel who is wokring along side me here in Mexico. I don´t doubt the Grandma Ricks is helping prepare the hearts of people to hear the gospel. Esther has had a long, hard, sad life without the blessings of the gospel. She is afraid of death and has doubts and concerns. The solution: two teenage missionaries trying to speak spanish, sweating like dogs, who bring the singular most important message that could possibly be shared. There is one suffering, lost, confused soul now. I love Esther and have learned so much from her in these few days I have known her. When she came to church with us this week, she shook EVERYONES´ hand and wished the best for everyone! I love finding people who are truly struggling and helping find the way.

  I am finishing my mission. But my joy is full. I feel blessed and loved, in every form. I can`t wait to see ya`ll. My best friends. God be with you till we meet again.

 Elder James Ricks

Happy Easter

President Trevino & Elder Ricks

Baptism of Omar de Jesus

P Day Fun!

Just helping with some painting

Thoughts of Mom (She loves Elephants)

My Dear Family,

   I don't know why right now, but I am so excited! Thank you so much for all your letters and the awesome Easter pictures! It was good to hear from ya´ll! It was an amazing, blessing-filled week here in Veracruz. We had Leader Counsel on Wednesday and I learned a lot. It was my last zone conference and I gave my final testimony. They made a video of the missionaries who are going home and everyone laughed their heads off when they saw the photo of me in the suit when I was like 4! (Thanks Mom and Hannah for that photo!) It was so hard to stand up in front of all my friends, companions, and President and his wife, to bear my last testimony. I talked about how two years ago, I made a decision that saved my life. Serving as a missionary has made all the difference in my life and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to serve. I feel so clean and pure and full of the spirit. I also talked about how grateful I am for the atonement in my life. I wouldn´t be able to do anything without him. Alma 26:12.

  We also baptized this week! This week, we baptized Omar de Jesus! His wife, who is a member, two weeks ago, came up to us in church and told us that her husband told her that he wanted to be sealed with her in "her" temple! She explained that there was only one obstacle to be able to do that.... He wasn´t a member yet. So we began to give him the discussions. The first visit, we taught the restoration and invited him to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. He accepted. We put a date with him, for two weeks later. That night he received a miracle. His wife had told him that to be able to be baptized, he would need to quite smoking. Since he was 13, he has smoked and the day before we got to his house, he was up to 2 packs of cigarettes a day. That night after we left his house, he quite smoking and hasn´t since. Later he told us when we asked how he was feeling, "Elders, after a life long of smoking and trying so many times to leave it behind, I have been able to do it! How do you think I feel?" He had the biggest smile on his face. It was my privilege to baptize him. I love him and his family. They have two young children, Blanca who is 4 years old and Juan Pablo, who has just like 8 months. Juan was born without ears and is a really special soul in their family. They love him so much and it reminds me of how much I love my own family.

   There is nothing better than being a missionary. It is so gratifying and satisfactory. But my companion and I were talking about something really funny about baptism. All of our countless hours, practices, and thoughts and prayers for weeks and weeks and weeks, lead up to a apparently "small" action that takes places in 10-15 seconds. From the tiny hinge of 'baptism' pivots the great and enormous door that opens up to eternal life. That is, that salvation depends on it. And it is such a sacred privilege to help people make that step. The miracles really never do end.

   I love you all so much! Thank you for your good example and for living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every Sunday as we are kneeling down to pray at the end of ward counsel, our Bishop, Bishop Caballero says something I really love. He says, "Lets go save our brothers and sisters. Here inside we don't save. Out there we do." The gospel only blesses our lives when we put it in practice and the greatest blessing a missionary can receive and sense and physically see, is the blessings of his family back home LIVING the gospel. May He continue to bless you all. Until we talk again! See you soon! :)

Èlder James Reed Rìcks

WOW!



Teresita de Jesus Avila Minguez  Baptism



My Dear Family,


What an amazing week it was! I am so excited and thankful to be a member of this church! It was AMAZING listening to conference and a little sad to think that it was my last General Conference with a name tag on. And to top everything off, we had a baptism in between conference sessions! We baptized Teresita de Jesus Avila Minguez and she is such an amazingly strong convert! She read up to 2 Nephi 12 in one week and loves the Church of Jesus Christ. She told us, "I am 100% willing and ready to be a Mormon all of my life!" Her parents are not yet members of the church, but we are working with them. Teresita is 12 years old and is in love love love with Twilight and Edward Cullen. She is hilarious. After every lesson with her, she hands us a hand written note or a sketching she has done of Jesus Christ. She is really special and it was been an enormous blessing to be able to teach and help her be baptized! My companion baptized her because the day of her baptism was his BIRTHDAY! Elder Mathias turned 20! All in all it was just an awesome weekend and I felt strongly the spirit. I will miss that about being a missionary. I have never felt so close to the spirit. My goal of course, is to keep it like that all of my life! It is hard to think about leaving this place behind. I love so much Veracruz and the people who live here. It wont be the last time I am here, but it is still hard to say goodbye or actually think about saying goodbye to friends, companions, President and his Wife, and converts. But I am excited to finish my mission in honor. That was the goal from the beginning and I daily realize more and more the miracle that it is, that a missionary returns with honor.

Sounds like it was an equally awesome week back home, especially for Mom and Claire. One word.... JEALOUS! I am 100% positive that that was an experience that neither of you will ever forget! I want to hear all the details and and see more photos! I loved the photos that you did send! It looks just like the movies make it look! I am sure it was just a really magical experience and I would have loved to see Claire sing in Carnegie Hall! WOW! What a cool experience! I can´t wait to hear you sing Claire when I get home! I am glad to know that everything went over smoothly and that you're home safe! I am so thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given us as I have served a mission. I think the biggest change I have had, is the change in myself. I am definitely not the same as before. I have acquired celestial habits and I will miss working on the front lines in the Lords work.
My favorite talks from Conference were Elder Hollands´ about the parable of the Lord and his servants, and the quote from President Uchdorf's talk when he said quoted a bumper sticker that said, "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you do!" How true that is! I also loved Elder Bednar´s talk about the conversion story of his father and the importance of always remembering the sacred responsibility is it to possess the Priesthood. I loved conference and even though we weren´t able to watch it in English, I learned a lot. I remember that the choir sang, "Let us oft speak kind words" and I remembered Dad singing that always when we weren´t getting along! Good times and memories that I will never forget.

I love you all so much! Thanks for all you do for me! I think about you daily and you are all a huge motivation to me to keep working and running till the end! Until next week!

Elder James Ricks

Amazing Week :)

My Dear Family ,
 
    What an insanely crazy week it has been! We have been loaded with blessings and trials and the success continues here in Camino Real. To start off the week, there was an EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so so so so so awesome! We were just walking in the street and all the sudden, I felt like my knees were giving out so I stopped walking and sure enough, it wasn´t my knees! The whole earth was shaking and everyone started running out of their houses, screaming, EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!! It was actually just an aftershock, but it was really interesting to feel! We worked really hard this last week and we recieved alot of blessings. We had an investigator that we have, named Paco, come out and work with us! We are preparing him for his baptism! He is 14 years old and really enjoyed working as a missionary for a few hours!  We also had a trial.... pretty big one actually. Alejandra had a baptismal date for this Saturday again, and it is 100% sure that she was finally going to be baptized. But, half an hour before her baptism  on Saturday, she sent us a message to the phone and said that she decided not to do it. I called her immedeatly after I read the message, and when she answered, she was crying hysterically. She didn´t explain very well exactly what was the reason, but said she couldn´t do it. We assumed that it might have something to do with her husband. We will find out tomorrow when we go with her. But the highlight of the week made up for everything!
 
   On Friday, my companion and I went to the hospital. Elder Mathias was a little sick and had had a headache for two solid days and had alot of eye pain and was fighting to stay awake. We went to the doctor and they ordered him to get some rest. The mission house was like five blocks from the hospital and so after we left the doctor, I left my companion in the mission house, and I went out to work, on personal divisions with the mission President! President Treviño and I were companions!!!!!!! It was one of the most special experiences I have had in all my mission! I really learned alot and loved teaching with him!  It was all his idea to leave my companion in the mission home so he could rest and come out and work with me. We cruised around all my huge area in his van and we visited Alejandra, and Paco`s family (we teach Paco's  uncle as well in sign language) and Teresita, a 12 year old girl that we have on date for this weekend! It was really a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to do personal division with president and it was something really special. I have a special relationship with him and his wife. They really do grow to be like our mission parents here. It will be hard to leave them.
 
    Everyday it hits me harder and harder that the time is going. In two days, makes 23 months. The best 23 months of my life. I cannot even attempt to explain what my mission has meant, is meaning, and will mean to me for all my existence. I am thrilled and excited to put in practice everything I have learned here for the rest of my life! I love VERACRUZ!  I honestly wouldn´t mind living here. :)
 
   Well family... I am so thankful to hear that you are all being so blessed and watched over. I am thrilled to hear about how final testing, Carnegie Hall, and summer plans are going! I cant believe Claire is going to broadway! YOU ARE FAMOUS! Grace: You are gorgeous even when you are covered with Chicken pocks. Chandler and Michael: I have a favor to ask. Get in touch with the missionaries and ask when you can go on divisions with them! Hannah.... Tell that young man you were standing with that on May 4th he has an interview with me in my office. HAHAHAHAHA Mom and Dad... You cant even understand the gratitude and love and appreciation I feel towards you two. I wouldn´t be here in an internet cafe on the corner of Rio Magdelena and Rio Papoalapan in Veracruz, Veracruz with a name tag on my shirt right now if it weren´t for you two. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you for all you do! Keep up the good work in scriptures, FHE, and prayers! Love you all! Hasta la siguiente semana!

Elder James Ricks

6 Weeks Till We Meet Again (& 3 days)

Elder Ricks, Dietrich, Yeraldy & Elder Mathias

Elder Ricks & Yeraldy

How Adorable!

My Dear Family,

 

   WOW! What a busy weekend it has been! It sounds like ya´ll had a great time at the beach and made a lot of fun memories! I can´t believe how much everyone has changed! It is so good to get your letters and read your words every Monday. Here down in Mexico, it has been an amazing week. Elder Mathias and I are loving being together. I get along with him so great! He is really different from any other companion that I have had, I love him. We are having lots of success and it is horribly scary how fast time is flying. Tomorrow is the start of my last change as a missionary. Six weeks left. SIX SATURDAYS LEFT AND WE WILL BE TOGETHER! I cannot possibly grasp that. I see that you have all changed a lot, but I just want to give ya´ll a heads up that I have changed quite a bit as well! I can really see looking back on my mission at the milestones I´ve had, lessons learned and experiences lived. This last Saturday was yet another of those experiences. We baptized two girls, Yeraldy and Dietrich who are cousins. They are both so special and loved their baptism day. I baptized Yeraldy, the older one and my companion baptized Dietrich. We reactivated their families and they are coming back to church! I have really felt as the scriptures say, "a tool in the hand of the Lord" as I have helped him build his kingdom. Be it reactivating, baptizing or the two of them at the same time!

   I have learned two big lessons this week. On Wednesday, I studied patience in Preach my Gospel and the scriptures and in my prayer after studying, asked God to bless me with more patience. Isn´t it so funny that as innocent as we are, our Father listens and answers our prayers. But it is even funnier that when we ask for patience, he doesn´t just magically give us more patience, but sends us trials, obstacles, and experiences so that we, FOR OUR SELVES, can learn the principle of patience. Later that day, an investigator that we had on date for this last week, called us and said that she couldn´t be baptized for health reasons. In the end, it was a perfectly good reason not to be baptized yet, and to wait. I just smiled to myself, and thanked God for hearing my prayer. That day I learned patience. The next day it was about humility. The same thing... studied, prayed and asked to be more humble. Hours later, the trial. I learned this week, that God is so much closer than we really think. And all we have to do to progress, is ask him for what we need to do better in!! I love prayer. My companion has taught me a lot about prayer. I put a goal, to always be praying, no matter what time of day it was, or where I was. I remember saying a prayer on a bus. Eyes open, smiling wide, I prayed and gave thanks for my name tag, my family, my mission, investigators, etc! I am so blessed and I cannot explain to you all how I felt just to randomly pray!

    As the heat starts arriving, so does the time run out, and it is my biggest goal right now, to run till the end. There is no time to stop for water, or to stretch or rest. I hope you all can feel the love and gratitude I have for each one of you! Thank you for your letters, and prayers. Until we meet again!!!!!!!

Elder James Ricks

 

MOM,

   I will be sure to teach you how to make tortillas when I get back. I got that all down pretty good! Don't you even worry about that! I love you! Thanks for everything!

P Day at Cempoala Ruins March 12, 2012

Zempoala Archaeological Ruins, Veracruz, Mexico: The name means "place of the 20 waters," for the several rivers that converge near the site. At the time of the Conquest, Zempoala (also spelled "Cempoala") was the Totonac capital and the largest city on the Gulf of Mexico, with a population of about 30,000. Zempoala was the first large Mesoamerican center visited by Europeans and the place where Cortes met his first important native ally, "Xicomecoatl", better known as the "Fat Chief." Only a small part of the main ceremonial area of the site has been restored. Zempoala is an important place where history was made. The uniting of Spanish, European, and the Native American cultures that became modern Mexico could be said to have their beginnings in Zempoala.
Most of the buildings at Zempoala date from the 14th and 15th centuries,during the Late Post-Classic Era. The area was populated at least 1,500 years earlier and there are indications of an Olmec influence. The Preclassic settlements were built on mounds to protect them from floods. Not much is really known about what went on during the Preclassic and Classic Era
The Great Temple resembles the Temple of the Sun at Tenochtitlán. The Temple of the Little Faces is decorated with stuccoed faces in the walls and hieroglyphs painted on the lower sections. The Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, is a square platform, and the Temple of Ehecatl, god of the wind, is round which is normal.
Zempoala lies on the flat coastal plain about six kilometers from the Gulf and a little more than a kilometer from the banks of the Rio Actopan River (also called the Rio Chachalacas).
The Totonacs moved onto this coastal plain during the height of the Toltec empire (A.D. 1000-1150). Archaeologists believe the Toltecs had pushed the Totonacs out of their settlements on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental and down to the coast.
In the mid-15th century, Zempoala and many other coastal Veracruz centers were attacked and defeated by the Aztec armies of Motecuhzoma 1. They were assessed a heavy tribute in both goods and victims for sacrifice. This treatment at the hands of the Aztecs created the situation which led up to the defeat of the Aztecs by Cortez in the 16th century.
By the time Cortes and his forces arrived on the Veracruz coast in 1519, the Totonacs had been suffering for several years under the Aztec domination.
As the Spaniards marched north from their malaria-ridden first camp at San Juan de Ulua" they heard of a town on the way named Zempoala. They sent word of their impending arrival, and they were met on the outskirts of town by 20 Zempoalan dignitaries.
In the center of town, they met with the "Fat Chief, Xicomecoatl", who fed them and gave them quarters. After the Totonac presented Cortez with numerous gifts, including gold jewelry, Cortez wondered how he could repay this hospitality.  Xicomecoatl is said to have heaved a deep sigh and broke into many bitter complaints against the great Montezuma.  Cortez then promised to consider the matter and the next day Cortez departed for Quiahuiztlan, where the Spaniards and Totonacs then forged their momentous alliance against the Aztecs.
The Totonacs were now committed to the same fate as the Spaniards'. In August of 1519, Cortez and his men set out with 40 Totonac warriors and 200 porters for the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. During the next few months, they won one victory after another through both force and guile. They eventually ended up in the heart of Tenochtitlan with Motecuhzoma II, the Aztec emperor, as their hostage.  

 There are dozens of temples and paths into the sugarcane fields to the north and east that lead into several secondary precincts which contain numerous structures, some of which have been restored. The so-called Temple of Charity standing about 200 meters to the east is a two-tier structure decorated with fragments of stucco reliefs. It is named for the hundreds of stucco skulls that once adorned the facade of a small structure at the base of the temple's staircase.  Archaeologists believe this complex was dedicated to the god of death.
More, largely unexcavated, mounds lie among the houses in the town of Zempoala. Some of the humbler structures here are built in the same style-thatched roof and wood and adobe walls as were the residences of the pre-Hispanic proletariat.
Some research by Vincent H. Malmström of Dartmouth College describes an interesting astronomical relationship that exists because of the three round rings found at Zempoala. We will quote a part of his discussion concerning the Three Ceremonial Rings Of Zempoala.   "In the central plaza of Zempoala, just beneath the massive pyramids that frame its northeastern corner, are three intriguing rings of stone, each fashioned of rounded beach cobbles cemented together to form a series of small, stepped pillars. The largest of the rings contains 40 of the stepped pillars, the middle-sized ring has 28 such features, and the smallest ring numbers 13 stepped pillars around its circumference. It would appear that the three rings were used to calibrate different astronomical cycles, possibly by moving a marker or an idol from one stepped pillar to the next with each passing day (in somewhat the same way that has been suggested for recording the passage of time at the Pyramid of the Niches).
The three stone rings of Zempoala as viewed from the top of the main pyramid. Inasmuch as the three rings are surmounted by 13, 28, and 40 steplike pillars, respectively, it appears that they were used by the Totonac priests as counting devices to keep track of eclipse cycles.
It is, therefore, quite possible that by using the three rings together, the Totonac priests were able to calibrate the movements of the moon closely enough so as to know when it might next be (devoured.) In any event, there is every reason to believe that the three stone rings of Zempoala afford yet another bit of evidence testifying to the intellectual curiosity and architectural ingenuity of the early Mesoamericans."

Temple Sealing & Elder De Hoyos

Bus Ride to Veracruz

Missionaries at the Bus Station

Brother & Sister Charmin Sealed March 10, 2012

An Eternal Family

Elder Ricks & the Charmin Family

Elder Ricks & Elder Harmon

Friends & Family of the Charmin Family

Elder Mathias & Elder Ricks with Members in Camino Real

My Dear Family,

   It has been an absolutely crazy week! We had the visit of Elder De Hoyos and his wife, and I Witnessed the sealing of the Charmin Family in the Veracruz Temple! It has been such a spiritually uplifting week, and I have really been impacted by the events that Heavenly Father had allowed me to live. I feel so close to his presence. It was also a rough week, with lots of obstacles and challenges. We had five baptismal dates for this last week, but they were put back to this week. This Saturday, we will have 5 and we are loading up the tank for the next weeks! I am so happy with Elder Mathias. He is such a Christ like example and helps me stay on track. He is 100% focused and loves to work hard. It is so much better, and easier to do what we have to do, when we are a divine companionship, and we are lead and guided by the holy ghost. I love Elder Mathias. He has taught me a lot and been a great example.

The visit with Elder de Hoyos was really special. He still remembered me from Mexico City when he bought me lunch! He and his wife talked about the importance of the atonement in our lives, and helped us remember that the atonement should be the center point of everything we teach. He talked about the literal gathering of Israel and I learned so much! His wife gave us a quote that really helped me a lot! It says, "When you young missionaries understand the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, there will be no need for missionary rules." I really liked that. There are sadly enough, alot of missionaries who don't understand the sacred nature of our calling. It is so true. When we realize who we are and what we are doing, there is no need for rules. The other thing I learned is that the "rules" are not just for the two years I am a missionary. They are eternal principles of obedience and I cannot receive the blessings I desire, if I do not obey.

   But the highlight of the week, by far, was entering the temple with the Charmin Family. I don't have the words sufficient to explain how I felt to witness the creating of an eternal family. Hno Charmin, is now the BRANCH PRESIDENT of Catemaco!!!! His wife is counselor of the Relief Society and they are the strongest family! I shared tears with Elder Harmon, as we watched our family all dressed in white enter the sealing room and make sacred covenants. I was and am still so so so so happy and grateful for the success of that family. They have had a lot of trials and Satan did everything he could to keep them from coming to the temple on Saturday, but they won. They got to Veracruz on Saturday at about 8:00am and we arrived and surprised everyone at 8:15am. No one from the branch knew we were coming and it was SOOOOOO special to see all the life long friends I made there in Veracruz. They brought sandwiches to eat and drinks and we were with them the whole day! Elder Harmon and I were witnesses in the session and... you guys... I cannot even explain it. They were so happy and they all felt that they had reached their goal. After they were baptized, Elder Harmon and I gave them a photo of the Veracruz Temple and on the back we wrote that the goal was to get sealed in one year! And one year, one month later, they did it! Overwhelming feelings of gratitude and joy fill my heart as I look at their picture on my camera over and over and over again. I love their smiles and the look on their faces. Jose Angel, the oldest son, is preparing to leave soon on a mission and Omar will too in about 4 years! I love the Family Charmin and know that they will always be a special part of  my mission.

   Thinking so much about them, makes me think about my own family. I wouldn´t be able to do what I do, if it weren´t for each of you! Thank you so much for you support and your love and prayers. I know that we, just like the Charmin Family, are an eternal family. We WILL be together forever. I love you all so much. I am stunned about how fast the time has gone. I know the time is winding down, but I try not to think about it. I don't ever want it to end. But I am ready and prepared to put everything I have learned in practice. Until next week!

ELDER JAMES R RICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Final companion :)

Elder Mathias and Elder Ricks

Elder Realivasquez & Elder Ricks saying Goodbye

Elder Ricks & Yunue

Inside the Chapel in Camino Real

  

Outside of the Church

My Dear Family,

 I can't believe that another week has gone by! The time is flying and I am loving every single minute that I have to serve the Lord. This week, there has been a lot of changes. Elder Realivazquez left, and my new companion is Elder Mathias from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is everything I could ever ask for in a last companion. I will talk more about that later. We had a great day in church this last week, with 8 in church and 5 with a baptismal date for this Saturday! I AM SO EXCITED! I LOVE BAPTIZING! AND I AM WRITING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IF YOU COULD HEAR MY VOICE RIGHT NOW I WOULD BE SCREAMING! Everything is just perfect! The weirdest part is that I don't feel that I have stopped progressing. Even though I have like 22 months, I feel that I am still learning and applying new things! This week, is going to be a huge week. We will have a visit of 70! Elder De Hoyos will be coming to our mission this Saturday and we will hear from him. He was the 70 that bought me a sandwich in the Mexico City Airport when I had visa problems! That same Saturday, THIS COMING SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, I will taking the Charmin Family to the temple to be sealed for eternity! I am so excited I cant even tell you all.

   My companion is so amazing. He is everything I would have asked for in a companion. He is 100% obedient, just like me! He is American, so he understands my sense of humor! :) He has a huge family! They are 11 kids! He is so humble and so focused on the work. Together, we will have so much success. I have already learned so much from him. He has four months and I am his second companion. I am helping him with his Spanish, but he is progressing super fast! He says to tell you hi! We have so much in common. He loves Owl City, Be still my Soul, and he plays the piano! WHAT ELSE DO I NEED? :) I love him. He reminds me a lot of Cole Young! :) Not sure why really. We have so many people in teaching and we are really working hard to find the people that our Heavenly Father is preparing to find the true church. Today we had a big long talk about how lucky we are to be members of the church that we are. But we have such a big responsibility to share it with the whole ward. It motivates me so much, to know that you all are being missionaries and sharing the gospel through word, and example! 

   I really don't know why I am so happy and excited right now. I just feel good. Even though it is hard to realize that my time is quickly running out, I am excited and motivated as ever. Millions of thoughts and emotions pass through my mind. I just love being a missionary and sharing what I have with everyone I meet. Something funny and special happened yesterday night. I had a leadership training with the zone leaders from 7 to 9 pm and walking out the church door after the meeting, a man came up to us and asked us when the services were of the church. We told him, and began to ask him questions. He said that he has a lot of problems right now in his life, and wants to be closer to God! We shared our testimonies about the truthfulness of the church and invited him next Sunday. We wrote down his number and we are going to pass by to share the Restoration with him and his family! It was an awesome experience and I am so happy to have my name-tag.

   I could go on and on about the blessings and miracles, trials and struggles, that I have had. I feel like I have grown, and still am growing everyday! I cannot possibly imagine that in less than two months, we will be together again. But like you have all told me, before then, there is lots still to do! Love you all so much! Have a great, successful, blessing-filled week! :)

Elder James Ricks

Mom, 

  It would be awesome to have the choir at the homecoming. :) Darn song makes me cry like a niña. :) Oh p.s. I have a goal to not speeka da eenglish when I get back. :) jk. I will arrive in the San Antonio Airport at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, on May 3rd, 2012. I am assuming that that night will be my relevo. How do you say releasement???? I cant talka da eenglish anymore. hahaha I loved the photos and videos. They always bring tears to my eyes. I cant believe that Grace wrote that. Man.. that made me feel so good. Isn`t it just awesome that our WHOLE family has the same goal: to be an eternal family! I love being a RICKS! Love you! 

 The rash is like 99.99912354634% gone. I continue to bathe myself with soya and put on the various creams and lotions, like Nacho. Love you! ENJOY THE PHOTOS!

Baptisms & One More Companion!

Elder Ricks, Miguel & Elder Realivazquez

Miguel & Family

Miquel & Elder Ricks 

Elder Realivazquez, Jose Maria & his mom Diana, & Elder Ricks

For My Mom "Carolina"

 

















          Our Mexican Elder
 
My Dear Family,

FIRST OF ALL!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIGUEL! To celebrate your birthday! I baptized someone named MIGUEL on your very birthday, the 23rd, of FEBRUARY! HOW COOL RIGHT!?!?!?!?! I cant believe how old you are! In two years, you will be a missionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been a long, hard, happy, sad, tough week. Lots of mixed emotions. I think it has been that way back at home as well. The great awesome joyful news is that 3 people were baptized this week! We baptized Miguel, Jose Maria, and his mother, Diana. Their baptismal services were each so special and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be "their missionary." I have special bonds with each one of them, especially Miguel, the older man.

We are finding tons of new people to teach and among them, is a family with 3 deaf people! I have been learning how to teach the gospel in Spanish sign language! Their names are Carlos, Saul, and Alejandro. It has been one of the most sacred, spiritual and special experiences in all of my mission to watch someone offer a prayer, or accept the invitation to be baptized in sign language.

Elder Realivazquez has been doing a lot better. Sometimes it is hard, but we have learned. Yesterday night, my friend Elder Frey (he went to Viewmont) who is AP called me and we had a good long talk. He informed me that my companion will have special changes tomorrow (Tuesday) and that I will be given a new companion. There was a small (okay big) problem in the mission this last week, and 4 missionaries returned home, that is why they had to switch up our companionship. It will be hard to say goodbye to Elder Realivazquez. I was like 85% sure that he was going to be my last companion. But the Lord needs more. And I am ready. Trials are for us to learn. The Lord, and ONLY the Lord, knows what is best for each and everyone of his children, and that is a promise that I trust 1,000,000,000%. I am excited to study wherever it is. I just want to study. UVU sounds like a great option for right now. I definitely want to live with Trevor and Robb! I cannot wait for the memories to be made. :)

Rash update: It is about 95% gone! Elder Fullmer called me after you had sent him an email I think and he read what it said. It was actually kinda funny. Everything it said, I had done. I know that the Lord was and is watching over me. There is a sister in our ward who has really helped me. She also works in the mission offices with her husband. Her name is Hna. Yañez. She took all my clothes last week, and sheets and all and boiled them in hot hot hot water then washed and dried them! I have been following the medicine receipt the Dermatologist gave me exactly, morning and night. One of the things that she gave me, is soy powder. I mix it with 5 liters of waters every night and after I shower, I rinse myself with that, and it feels SO SO SO good. It helps me sleep without even thinking about scratching! I really do feel a lot better and I am thankful that everything has worked out so good! Thank you so much mom for you help and concern. I can´t even imagine how much you just stay awake at night worrying. I hope you know that I am so protected and blessed.

Today, we have a lesson with the three deaf people that I was telling you about. The family is so special. We found them through the mother, Juana, who we contacted in the street about three weeks ago. About 10 years ago, she lost her oldest son to stomach cancer. Her next older son, Carlos (the deaf one) is also suffering right now from kidney failure. He has to do dialysis daily and it is really hard for him. But even though he is so sick, and an older man, and CAN'T TALK, he is hilarious. He taught me how to say "My name is Elder Ricks. I´m a Texan!" in sign language. He likes to make small things to sell on buses and the streets like key chains and bracelets. He also lives with his deaf friends, Alejandro and Saul. Saul is his translator, and that is how we talk with him. We had a stake activity this last week, to commemorate the celebration of the organization of the Relief Society and they had a "Food Fair" and we invited him to come. He came with all of the family!!! We showed them the font where the people are baptized and his eyes got all big! He is so special. I love being a missionary.

I cannot believe that Elder Realivazquez is going. His next companion is one of my good buddies, Elder De la Rosa. I will miss him a lot. He has taught me a lot of patience, love, and humility. Having this change means also, that it is 100% sure that this will be my last area. I am more than excited and ready to sprint even harder and faster. I am not sure who my new companion will be yet. But I´m ready. Tomorrow makes 22 months. Me falta un buen! I still got a ton of time! Until next week... LOVE YOU ALL!

Elder James Ricks

MOM, I got the picture of Grace and the scriptures and I bawled like a baby. Thank you so much. I printed it out and put it in my scriptures to use in lessons when I teach the importance of reading the scriptures. Please tell her that I am so proud of her and that I am so thankful for her example to me! I love her and all my family so much!

I thought you would like the picture of "CAROLINA." After all, it is your Mexican name. To the day, every single person that I show my family picture too, the first question they ask is, "Is your mom Mexican?" The next question is, "Was that really how you looked before?" Ha hahahahaha Mexicans crack me up. They really are the funniest people ever. I love them so much. Enjoy the pictures all dressed in WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exciting news about the Mexico Veracruz Mission!

Elder Ricks and other missionaries that all went to
      Veracruz together on September 13, 2010

My Dear Family,

  How fast the time has continued to fly! I cannot believe that is it almost MARCH! It has been a very hard, and a little sad, but really happy at the same time. This last week, President Trevino got us all together (the whole mission) to tell us that in five months, the Mexico Veracruz Mission, will be split in two. The new mission Mexico Xalapa Mission, will be formed and the mission will really change! First thought.... I wont be here to see the change. Second... It will be a little sad to say goodbye to friends and converts. And third... It is a huge blessing from the Father to be split as a mission. It is a direct result of hard work, and a growing expanding church here in the state of Veracruz. It means that the prophet has seen the work we have done here and has approved that another mission be formed here in this sacred land! There are a lot of mixed emotions and feelings, but we know that it is such a blessing from the Lord. It will be interesting to stay in touch with the mission and see the changes and differences!

  We have been working our tails off with member lessons. That is the key to all the success. In every food appointment my companion have developed an activity that helps us receive referrals from the members here and it is really special.

1) We share D&C 18:10,15-16. It talks about the worth of every soul in the sight of God.

2) We share an experience about when we have been able to help someone talk with the missionaries or join the church. I like to share story about Jennifer.

3) We ask the member family, to write down a list of five names of people they know: neighbors, friends, family, etc...

4) We all say a pray and seek revelation to know who is the person that has been prepared and is ready to hear the gospel. It is amazing to see what happens. Twice, a sister has said, " I don't know why, but I feel I need to choose...." It is so special to help a referral from a member be baptized.

  This short activity has really helped us have a lot of success, as well as inviting members to lessons. This week, we had a special experience that I will never forget. Remember Alejandra and her family that I told you all about? This last week, she really had not lost the desire to keep progressing, but really slowed down. My companion and I decided to invite a return sister missionary and her mother to a lesson with them. I remember we taught plan of salvation and they loved it. The members invited the family to church the next day and they committed to do so. Saturday night, we went by to remind them and see if we could help with anything for them to be able to go. I remember making a special promise to them I am so thankful for having followed the prompting I received to make them the promise that if they took all of their doubts, and worries, and problems in their head to church, asking God to receive answers and inspiration, that God would answer their prayers. After the services, Sister Alejandra came up to me and said, "How did you know?" I just remember getting tears in my eyes, as she told me that everyone of her doubts and worries she had about being baptized and a member of the church, were washed away. I am so thankful to be a member of the only true church and for the blessing it is to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. She also received a huge miracle right before she came to church this last week. She was talking with her mother who is a strict strict christian and lives far from here, in Ciudad Juarez up by Texas and Arizona. They had been talking for a while and Alejandra told her mom, "Well I better get going. I have to go to church!" The mother felt so pleased and happy to hear that her daughter was going to come closer to Christ. She told her that it didn´t matter what church she went to, that is just mattered that she got closer to Christ. The mother told Alejandra right before she hung up, "I have a surprise to tell you! You aren´t the only one in the family who will be member of the church of Jesus Christ! Your uncle (who lives in Louisiana) was baptized in the Mormon church one month ago!" She was so happy to hear that she isn´t the only member of her family who would be member of the church, and she took it as a sign about what she should do. It has been a week of many blessings and miracles.

  I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so x 1,000,000,000 so so so grateful for each and everyone of you! For my membership in the Lords church and for the opportunity to serve my King as a missionary.

Dad: You´re the best. You´re my biggest hero and example.

Mom: I think about you daily as I look in the mirror and put on my smile.

Hannah: I tell everyone I meet about all the fun memories I have with you.

Mike: You are the coolest, doctor, basketball player, and chocolate guru that I know. You will be an amazing amazing missionary.

Chandler: I wish I had the energy that you have. I can´t wait to play piano with you while you play guitar. Two months buddy.

Claire: No one on the whole earth sings better than you do. I would love it if you sang in my homecoming in church!!!!!!!!

Grace: Don't you dare grow up anymore. We have so so so so much to do when I get back!

Davis: I miss you. (sneeze)

   I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you do for me! I will continue working and giving it all that I have until the end!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next week, Hasta la siguiente semana,

Elder James Ricks

MOM,

 How is Robb doing? Tell him that I have a lot to talk to him about in two months and that I want him in my homecoming in Texas! :) I love you so much.  I have a really bad rash, just so you know. In Spanish it is called Escabiasis and it is due to a parasite called acaros. I have been to a dermotologo (I forgot how to say skin doctor in English), and she gave me some awesome medicines and it is little by little getting better. I sent pictures so you can see how it is.  The other pictures are of my generation of missionaries. We all came here to Veracruz together from the MTC. I love the picture where we are all looking in different directions. :)