My Wonderful Family - My first week with a little different swing of things.....

OH WHAT A WEEK!!!!

My wonderful family, where do I even begin. First off I would like to say " Sweet little Claire bear thank you for picking yellow just for me!!!!" hahah Sign my name big and awesome on that thing for me... haha just kidding. I hope you get better real soon and I just am praying for you and want you to know that I am with you always every step (or push) of the way ;)

What a week i have had these past 7 days. It was a little weird (killing) someone in the mission, when I was with Elder Roldan I learned so so much and I was a little sad to see him go, but I know that I did all I could for him and his progress in the mission that I could have. We had a great successful companionship together and I will forever be grateful for him and the things I learned in our time together.!!

 WOW I AM A TRAINER AND A DISTRICT LEADER....... It never looked or seemed as hard as it really is.... hahaha. This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to go up to Bogota (4 hours in a little bus) I had exchanges all of Tuesday and then Wednesday I had to pick up my new companion and to receive a little leadership and counsel from president Lozano! It was so much fun and I learned so much. I got with my son on Wednesday, Elder Parra from Argentina!!! We came back to home here in Ibague.  It was and is a wonderful experience to be a trainer and a DL but wow I didnt expect this and these things so fast in my mission. We got here on Wednesday and I had exchanges with the zone leaders on Thursday, my comps first day in the mission was with a ZL haha. Then on Friday I had my first district meeting...... wow that came fast.... and I think I totally botched it up but hey I'm still here.... hahah Nah it wasn't to bad but I sure am still learning! I had a wonderful time with Elder Chacon in the exchange as my ZL and I learned so much from him. It was cool to be with my very first companion in the mission again. I am so grateful for this calling The Lord has placed in my hands and I know that it is only an opportunity to learn, grow, and most of all serve my fellow men ( missionaries )

This week was hard, I will be honest. But I am still here and have learned more than ever before!!! Taking on new responsibilities isn't the easiest and taking on two new ones at the same time was a little bit of a whirlwind but I'm alive haha. The work in my area has been hard... the lessons... and the new investigators... have all been low. I have realized and learned a lot from this... but I know that all will be well. I am taking on the pressure of not only my investigators but all those of my missionaries as well. And with all this I have to ALWAYS be the example!!! In everything!!! ( I also have the sister leaders in my district...) haha I have learned so much this week my wonderful family. I have found some of my weaknesses and have learned how to really rely on the spirit and my Heavenly Father! I am doing all I can to be my best and will only push my self harder and give all I have to The Lord these next 2 transfers. I know that The Lord is always with us and is helping us in every step of the way. During all this this past week I had just had a weird feeling the whole week, and I felt that something in my family has happened.... and today when I entered my email I saw that my little Claire bear had broke her leg...!!!

I know that The Lord is with us always, in the best of times and also in the worst of times. This week was hard, I have learned so much and am so grateful for all that I have been given and have yet to receive. My family I love the mission, It is the best thing ever and man is the time just flying by!!! I have 6 months a fourth of my mission in 1 week... and when I finish the training of my companion I will have 9 months in the mission!!! I just cant believe it!!!!

I am doing awesome my family, Colombia is great and we are just preparing for Halloween and Christmas here in Ibague!!! haha I want to thank each of you for your love and for being a part of my eternal family. I am more grateful for every single one of you that you know and I just can't wait to give you all hugs again... hahah. I love you all so much and am so grateful for everything.

Mom, Dad, James and Janelle, Hannah and Cameron, Chan man, Claire bear, and Gracie girl, I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH. I miss you and I know that The Lord is with us always. I pray for each of you and just wish the best for you.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!

I am going to send a few quick pics for the family as well ;)

I love you all so so much!!!!!!

We are the RICKS

Elder Micahel Ricks