Another One- Week 54

Hey yall!!! Such a wonderful week this last week! We are still struggling to find new Spanish speaking people here in a really English populated area but we are learning how to work super hard with the stake leaders and ward members throughout the entire stake. We are opening a new spanish branch called Via Linda. It has been such an awesome experience these last few weeks! 

I have been reading a lot in 1st Nephi and what a wonderful example Nephi is and was. I'm so grateful I get to read and learn from the Book of Mormon. Nephi is always so strong willed and focuses on the savior in everything he does. I hope we can all strive to be a little bit more like Nephi in all we do as we come unto Christ and hear Him. 

I love you guys and am grateful for your prayers for me and the missionaries everywhere. It is much appreciated 🙏 

Elder Ricks

Doubt Not; Fear Not

I have some sweet pictures this week! 

We like to mess around with my companion and his bed every night. The kitchen table found its way on top of his bed this night!??

Hump Dayyyy- Week 53

Well everyone, I'm excited but deeply saddened to tell you that I hit my half way mark this last week! Like what?!?!?! Where did the time go?? Anyways, I am just so grateful for my time in Mexico and time back at home with my family and now in Arizona. I've learned so much and God is really shaping me to be the man he wants me to be. 

This week my companion and I were able to be apart of many lessons and boy can I tell you I felt the Spirit this week. If you dont know what the Spirit feels like I'd encourage you to pray and just listen to the feelings in your heart and soul. It's such an amazing feeling. I don't EVER want to live without the feelings of the Holy Ghost. It made and makes me feek so loved and cared for. Don't underestimate the Power of God. 

I love you all so much and hope for your continued success in these crazy times. Get used to it because I don't think it'll change anytime soon. Keep up the hard work! 

Elder C. Ricks

Doubt not; Fear not

New branch! (Via Linda)- Week 52

Hello everyone! I'm sorry I didn't email last week! We had changes and I was put into a new area! My companion is from Argentina! Elder Calvo is a straight legend! They moved me closer to Scottsdale to open up a new Spanish branch! But the catch is that the Church hasn't announced it yet! So we have NOTHING/NOBODY to work with here. Haha! Quite the adventure I might say. 

Although we have had very very few people to contact my companion and I stay really busy with so many things. Personal study, trying to contact people through Facebook, making videos, there is honestly sooo much to do. But I just want to say, I love being a missionary. The amount of miracles I see everyday is amazing. I feel so blessed when I live and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He abundantly blesses me for such little acts of obedience. 

I promise you all that as you look for 3 miracles every day you will find them. I encourage you to write these 3 miracles down everyday and in your nightly prayers thank God for the blessings you've received specifically that day. 

You'll be blessed:) 

I love you sooo much! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. 

Love,
Elder Ricks

Doubt Not; Fear Not

We get to do sooo much service! It's amazing. 

If you've never heard of Canes you best be looking it up.

That last photo is my companion and my area! It's the whole stake! Everything inside the blue. I guess that just means we have lots of people to find 😊

Week 51

Carson was transferred (in the middle of transfers) to open a new zone in Northern Scottsdale. He will also be Zone Leader. We didn't receive an email this week.

A Running Hour Glass- Week 50

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful week. This week was a week of much learning! I've begun to understand more of the Plan of Salvation through the lives each of us live each day. As you all know, the world is in chaos and is in need of something solid and bright. 

I've thought about that this week and I've come to understand that as the world changes and is continuing to worsen in obeying the commandments of God, that all is needed of us is to continue sharing the light we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to all those in the world causing so much mayhem. As we do this, we will continue to be the beacon of hope our prophets and apostles have repeatedly invited us to be in these trialing times. 

To some it might sound easy, and others a little bit harder. But for all, it's possible. 

I would invite all of you to remember who you are. Where you came from. And the potential you have to become more like Christ every single day of your life. As you focus on these simple things you will enjoy living in these crazy times which we live. And you won't be in distress or discouraged but you'll find strength and power in living and serving those around you. 

I love you all and look forward to hearing about your miracles as you serve. 

Elder Ricks

Doubt Not; Fear Not

I just liked this picture I found on Facebook.