This past week just as every other one has been another blessing
here in the mission. But this last week pushed me even harder, to
greater bounds, and to higher expectations. What a blessing it was for
me to here that my family is just doing so awesome. It was wonderful to
see all the beautiful pictures of my new little niece Emma and to really
realize that i am officially an Uncle. How about that? What a blessing.
Last
Sunday President Baquerizo invited my companion and I to a stake
conference here in Bogota were Elder Godoy would be presiding. So... we
went! And it was Awesome!! Elder Godoy is from the same city that my
companion is from and about 2 years ago Elder Godoy talked with him and
told him thanks for serving a mission and like 22 months later he saw
him in his mission and thanked him again. It was pretty cool. Elder
Godoy talked on and on about the family and more than anything on the
way a Husband must and has to treat his beloved Wife. I learned so so
much from him and everything he talked about all I could see were my two
parents. You two really are amazing. I have much to learn from you Mom
and Dad so that I can become a parent like you two and like MISTER
JAMERS!!!! Quick story.... so Elder Fernandes and I got to the chapel
early to give a greeting to every one at the stake conference like
President Baquerizo had asked us. So we were out front doing our thing
and then Elder Fernandes had to go to the bathroom. So we went to the
bathroom and right as we got there Elder Godoy was walking out, and
there were quite a few Elders out front of the bathroom and he said
"Elders I know that your President asked for you all to give the
greeting but how about you guys do what you do best and that is go to
the streets and invite everyone here!" SO..... embarrassed and ready to
go we went! Elder Fernandes found an older man named Alfredo and we
invited him to church and he accepted. We were the only ones that
actually had an investigator at church and it wasn't even our ward.
Alfredo cried during almost the whole meeting, telling us that he has
never felt so good in his life. As we were even walking to the chapel he
said I'm sorry for the way that I'm dressed. I accidental drank and
smoked last night and I know that it was wrong, but I promise that after
today I will never do it again. He promised to stop smoking, drinking,
and he accepted a baptismal date. He said that he has never felt part of
such a big happy family. It truly was awesome.
On
Tuesday for the first time, I had to direct and lead the Leadership
Counsel with President. With all the zone leaders and the sister
leaders. I was pretty nervous at first, but I did an outstanding job. The
best part is always when you give an amazing demonstration (Practice)
and everyone just loved it. It was a very spiritual meeting and I
learned a lot. We drove home with President and just shared a lot of
stories with him and Sister Baquerizo.
On
Wednesday Elder Fernandes and I had to go find a hotel and book it for
almost 72 missionaries for the big Christmas party that we are planning.
It was kinda cool. I felt like a business man or something. We booked
all 18 rooms or something like that and we are now working out all the
travels for the missionaries. We then on Thursday had to have an
appointment with a lady that we contracted to make the mission special
pins for suits. She totally botched up our order and my comp. kinda
chewed her out..... it was awesome though. We got a big time deal on the
pins and at the end we bought them all. President was very proud of
us.
From Thursday until now we have been
working pretty hard preparing the Zone Conferences that we will be
having for the next little while. Starting with next Tuesday. I am
pretty nervous but I will give it my all and a little bit more. Elder
Fernandes and I have been practicing for the past little while and we
are about to do so after I finish writing this letter. Tomorrow we have
one or two hours of p day WAHOOO and we will be playing some soccer
before we have to go to the offices and finalize everything for the first
of many Zone Conferences to come. It will be pretty fun. I will be
traveling with President and his family for the next few weeks in the
mission car all around the mission. HERE WE GO! ;)
I
love you all so so much and I am so proud to be a RICKS. I am happier
and healthier than ever. I am finally gaining some weight and all is
AWESOME! I know that this church is true and I am so grateful for my
mission. For all that I have learned not only about the truthfulness of
this gospel, but of how to be a better everything. I am so grateful for
every learning experience that has been placed before me and I am
growing and learning right now more than ever. I have much to improve
on, things to change, and talents to discover, but I know that if I do
my part the Lord will do His. I know that Christ is my Saviour and this
is His church. HE is at the head, He love me, He loves you, and because
of Him we can be an Eternal Family!
With much love,
Your son, Your brother, Your Missionary, brother in law, and Uncle!!!
Elder Michael Shawn Ricks
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