Sister Amanda Ricks: Found, Taught, and Baptized

Dearest Family,

Sitting down to write your last missionary e-mail to your family is like eating the last bite of an ice cream cone. It scratches a little when you eat it, and you wonder how your ice cream went away so fast. But you're also happy because you've just finished something delicious and have better things on the way.

We had a wonderful week. On Monday, we had a District P-day and we played games and celebrated Sister Johnson's 1/2 birthday. I had secretly (keeping secrets is SO hard from a companion, but somehow it worked out) asked everybody to bring her half of something, so she got a half of a Bounty bar, a half can of juice, a half napkin, a half piece of gum, and a HALF OF A SUIT! Elder Torres cut up one of his suits and gave it to her. It was so funny. I gave her half a set of used earplugs, half bottle of lotion, and half of a chocolate Santa. Ah, it was just hilarious and a lot of fun!

On Tuesday, on the way to our last District meeting in Dunfermline, Sister Johnson and I texted the Dunfermline elders to ask which bus to grab up to the chapel. They responded, "Isn't the meeting in Kirkcaldy?" which it was...but we were already halfway into Dunfermline. Nobody told us! So we got off the bus and they came to pick us up. We squished in the car and I was between Sister Johnson and Elder Goldie. Sister Johnson was in Sister Gilbert's lap, and we were all just bundled in. But we got there safely and had a good, successful district meeting. It was just hilarious and maybe a you-had-to-be-there kind of thing.

On Wednesday, J-- got baptized. It was quite stressful because his train from Dundee to Kirkcaldy didn't come on time because of some train track situations. He was in Dundee visiting his friend who is about to die of cancer. His train didn't come and another one didn't come for two hours. Also he didn't have service to call us on his phone. So he ended up showing up about an hour late for his baptism. Luckily everybody stayed and it was all fine, but I was crazy hassled. It's one thing to be dropped at an appointment--another thing entirely to be dropped at a baptism. Because we were all waiting outside, however, a nice man who was being paid by the flyer, came by and we all got pizza coupons. So I guess there's silver lining in every situation. :)

At J--'s baptism, he felt the Spirit so much, particularly as he was put under the water. The man, KB, who was baptizing him had never baptized anyone before, and so he was nervous. J-- was nervous as well, but all went well. Afterward, Bishop Brown stood up and said that he had just had a wonderful spiritual witness that J-- was ready to be baptized and that Heavenly Father had accepted the ordinance. It was really wonderful.

Thursday we had Cullen Skink [a thick haddock, potato, and onion soup] with Sister Brown. That was the most exciting part of the day! Cullen Skink is delicious and Sister Brown is celestial. Winning combination!

On Friday, the Simpson-Sylvestros planned a going-away party for me. We got a chippie and then made cupcakes. Ah, it was so much fun! They got me a wee present and an “I Love Scotland” shirt. I am just so grateful for their kindness. This was an absolutely wonderful place to serve! We also saw W--, who is in the hospital again. I've never visited anyone in the hospital so much.

On Saturday, we went to a few appointments, one of them being D-- and A--. They are such sweet friends. Their daughter, C--, is so cute, and she loves reading the Book of Mormon with me. I show her all the pictures and after being here for 4 1/2 months, she knows who each person is. She's even told her mum that if she has another boy for her baby, they should name him Lehi.

Anyway, the story I tell her that is in the Book of Mormon goes like this: "There was a boy and he was good. His name was Nephi. His brothers were not so good. One day, Nephi was so hungry. His brothers stole all the food. Nephi was so sad. Then his brothers said sorry. Then they shared. Nephi was so happy. His brothers were so happy too!" And that is the story of the Book of Mormon. Who knew, right?

We slept in Dundee on Saturday night because a church production that we went to got over quite late. (Speaking of late, I had this horrible dream last night that we were in Glenrothes until 9:30, and then we missed the 38A bus and were going to have to get the 39A, and it doesn't go by our flat, and we were going to be so late getting in......what a nightmare!) So we slept there and on Sunday went to get our 7:34 train. It turns out, it was at 7:24 and we had missed it. The next train wasn't until 9:24....and so we ended up getting into K'caldy late and missing Relief Society. That was sad.

Yesterday Bishop Brown scheduled it so that I got to speak in church. It was wonderful and always a privilege (a nervous privilege, but a privilege nonetheless) to speak. I talked about the Holy Ghost and how He has helped me on my mission. I spoke a lot about how when we are an instrument in God's hands, He can direct us. I also talked about how it had nothing to do with me, and when I got out of the way and let Heavenly Father direct the work, wonderful things happened.

After I spoke, the bishop stood up and said, "Sister Ricks, I'm going to have to correct you. It has everything to do with you. It has to do with your diligence and your goodness and your dedication." Even just writing the words that he spoke to the congregation makes tears well up in my eyes. It was really touching, because the Spirit was there and the things he said were amazing and also really sweet.

After church was emotional, of course, as I said goodbye to my wonderful friends that I will never see again in this life. It isn't fun to say good-bye when it's a genuine “good-bye” and not just a “see you later.” But we dealt with it, and we did it, and I'm okay. Just still a bit sad.

It really has been such a rewarding and wonderful time to serve in Kirkcaldy. Because the ward is set and ready with a wonderful Bishop, Relief Society President, and members, Heavenly Father has blessed them with much success. I know that when we are prepared, God grants us the desires of our hearts. I also know that when we're not prepared, we can't receive such guidance.

I'd love to end with my renewed testimony of the Savior. I have never doubted that Jesus Christ lived and loved me, but on my mission, that belief has deepened into an understanding. I know that Jesus suffered for my sins and also collectively for everyone else's sins. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him, I can do anything. I am so grateful to have worn his name over my heart for the last 18 months.

'Till the Work is Done!

Sister Amanda Ricks