Thirsty For Water 💧- Week 87

 Hello everyone! What an amazing week! My older brother made it home safely! 🏡 I sure love my family!! 

We went to visit an inactive member of about 3 years. We wanted to see how he was doing, get to know him, and share a message. When we got to his home he welcomed us inside, he offered us water and we politely accepted because we were thirsty 💧. He told us that we needed to start with a song. Kinda weird but we said okay! We sang hymn number 284 (If you could Hie to Kolob) it really brought the Spirit! We started talking and he wanted to play the devils advocate in everything we shared. 

We were totally fine with it because we were just going to share scriptures that backed up the principles we wanted to teach. It was a very calm environment. After it was over we said a closing prayer and invited him to read the scriptures and pray daily for the next 2 weeks. He agreed and we didn't think anything of it again.  

On Sunday to our great surprise, him and his wife were at church for the first time in about 3 years! We were so happy and so were the members. After the meeting ended they stayed for another 10-15 minutes just talking with people because they hadn't seen them in so long! 

I sure love this gospel and the basic principles that makes it work. The Spirit of God testifies of truth and of correct principles. If we listen to that Spirit we will NEVER go the wrong way 😇 

You guys are so amazing and I love you all. My savior lives and He directs this church throughout all the world. 

Love,

Elder Ricks 

Doubt Not, Fear Not

Letter from President Smith

 Dear Brother and Sister Ricks,

 

I just felt a great desire to take a moment to thank you for raising such a devoted, dedicated, and extremely faithful young man as Carson. He has blessed my life in so many ways during the time that Diane and I have been serving here as mission president and companion.

 

I had an interview with him yesterday and he is just good! He is one of the most faithful missionaries that I have ever had the pleasure of associating with. I told him yesterday that I was so grateful to serve alongside him. He has completely changed his companion from having some challenges to just being positive, encouraged, and excited about the work, and all of that is because he is with Carson. I also told him that if he was going to be here longer, or if we had come sooner, I would have asked him to serve as an assistant to me because of his faith, leadership, and strength. He is obedient, kind, patient, and loves the Lord. I am just so very impressed with the way that he has been raised, and with his sincere love for the people, other missionaries, and his Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Thank you for sharing him with us. My life (and Sister Smith’s) have been so positively affected because of our association with Elder Ricks.

 

We sincerely thank you,

President Mick (and Diane) Smith

Arizona Scottsdale Mission President

...The End of The Ricks's...- Week 86

 Hello everyone! How was your last week!? This is the last time there will be two Elder Ricks's emailing people for a hot minute 🔥 ⏰... Really sad not going to lie. I sure love you Elder T. Ricks! You're such an example to so many people! Especially to me ❤

Elder Powell and I have been just killing it! We have felt the spirit more than everyone and their dog this last week!! The amount of spiritual lessons we have with members is insane! We have had the opportunity to work a lot with facebook and wow! There is so much more to it than you'd think! It is amazing! I am so grateful for technology and the ability to have different resources in my arsenal of weapons. 

There was a family that moved into our ward! A family of four and three of them are non-members. We are soooo excited to start teaching them! Hard work pays off, ALWAYS :) 

Don't forget to say your prayers and read your scriptures. God loves you! 

Love,

Elder C. Ricks

Doubt not, Fear not 

Surprise visit from Braeden, Shay and Hadlee

Braeden, Shay and Hadlee were driving to Arizona from Texas and made a surprise visit to see Elder Ricks. It was a surprise alright! They found him at church and left some of his favorite treats on the doorstep of his house!

Weed 🌼- Week 85

 Hello everyone! 

Another week has past by. Pretty cool to think about the experiences I have been blessed with so far in my mission! I love serving as a missionary! 

This last week my companion and I were able to give talks during sacrament meeting. We introduced ourselves and I wanted to talk about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Which consists of 3 separate parts. (1) The suffering Jesus endured in the garden of Gethsemane. (2) When Christ died on the cross. And (3) when He was resurrected after the 3rd day. 

These 3 separate parts make up what is called the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we use this sacrifice (a reflection about it) and try to become better we will feel the love our Heavenly Father has for us and we will also know that there is someone there willing to go through it with us. (Jesus Christ) 

I am ao grateful for the wonderful service we have been able to do these last 2 weeks here in Snowflake! Keep on keeping on! 

Love,

Elder Ricks

Doubt Not; Fear Not

Oh and we did service for a lady that had a weed plant in her house 😂 so funny 😄