My dad can batter your dad, AND he can heal him!

Dearest Family,

Funny stories:

We had Karaoke Night on Tuesday evening. The Elders were on exchanges and so Elder Sewell, our district leader, was here in Falkirk with Elder Wightman. All sorts of things happened on Karaoke Night, but the main one was that our former investigator, K--, came. Ha. 

So quick funny story that isn't about me but that I was laughing really hard about when Sister Knab told me. Her trainee, Sister Oliphant, was supposed to be teaching a less-active member about the Plan of Salvation. She started out and then said, "Well, what do you know about the devil?" (I'm assuming she was going to go into the War in Heaven or something) and the less active said, "Well, I don't know him personally," and so Sister Oliphant got really nervous and so all of a sudden she just grabbed a Book of Mormon and said, "I know that this Book is true" and bore her testimony about the Book of Mormon. And then she finished and the lady was like, "Well, that's great, but what about the devil?" Hahahaha! I don't really know why it's so funny to me. I guess I will have to tell you the story when I get home for the full effect.

We chapped into two of the most attractive guys I have ever seen this week. The cool part about this is that when we prayed and looked at a map, I said we should chap Broom Crescent. And then we met these two guys. One of them took a Book of Mormon and said that he was going to read it on his walk that he was going on. So he put his package of fags (cigarettes) on top and then went on his way.

Sister Nicoll is such a great trainer. I think she should train the rest of her mission. I think the greatest thing about her is that she is so humble. She is always saying she isn't great at things, but she really is fantastic! The way she does it makes her very personable and easy to get along with, because you don't feel like she's putting herself above you. She acts like she's on your level, even though in reality she is heaps above me. I really do love her. I wish I could stay with her another transfer. I hope that we will, even though chances are pretty low. I love Falkirk AND Sister Nicoll and I want to keep them both.

Also, Sister Nicoll was telling someone who asked about Falkirk that it has been her hardest area, where she has seen the least amount of success with the work we have put in. That was very encouraging. We are out working our tails off every day and seeing very little success, but it's okay! Falkirk is still great. There are so many people who don't want to hear about the gospel here, which makes it even better when some do!!

Do you remember in bowling class when Whitney learned that before you bowl, you should give yourself positive reinforcement? Well, I've been doing that recently. If I'm about to go talk to somebody, as they walk toward me I think, "I am a great missionary!" and then I talk to them. Ha. It's been working pretty well, because I get down on myself really easily. So positive reinforcement has been great!

We were on our way to a less active's home and we stopped a lady and told her that we were sharing a message about strengthening our families through the teachings of Jesus Christ. She told us that she was interested in learning more, gave us her address, and went on her way. It was bizarre only because that is the way it should be! We only get that in role plays, where we say something, they want to know more, and they give us their information. I hope that she is real and gave us real information, because I feel like it's too good to be true. :)

We had dinner with a member on Saturday Night, Sister Downie. She is a widow and she is slightly (well mostly) deaf. Here is what I wrote in my journal: "We had supper with SIster Downie. I love her so much, and she is such a hoot. It's so funny trying to give lessons and pray when you're yelling at her. Haha. So hard not to laugh in there.

Church was absolutely brilliant. It was a special meeting at church, so I got to speak about Dad! Best topic ever! I played the prelude because the pianist was late and then I got to sit on the stand. I wasn't nervous to speak. It really is crazy what being a missionary and wearing a name tag can do for your nerves. I got to speak alongside a woman named K--, who has a testimony but doesn't come to church because she lives with another woman as her partner, and Elder Rasmussen, one of the office staff whose last Sunday was yesterday. They are going home to meet a new grandbaby, so that should be fun, but they were devastated to leave. It was so sad. It was a fabulous Sunday. I really felt the Spirit in the meeting and it was a real blessing to remember how blessed we are to have a wonderful father who teaches us and loves us. Happy Father's Day! The woman who spoke by me, K--, was the one who said the quote in the title of the e-mail. She was talking about the Priesthood and she said, "All kids say, My dad can batter YOUR Dad! but I was the only one who could say, "My dad can batter your dad, AND he can heal him!" Haha.

The coolest thing ever happened last night: We'd just eaten at Sister McFeet's home, and we were walking toward a bus stop when a car pulled over and a woman said, "Are you the Mormon missionaries?" It turns out that she lived in Salt Lake, went to Cottonwood High for a year as an exchange student, has had all of the discussions, but was never baptized because she was coming back to Scotland. She gave us a lift home and invited us over for dinner this week! Can you believe that? I couldn't! I was smiling nonstop for a long time after that. Things like that do not happen! I was so happy!

Anyway, nobody really came to church and I don't really have anybody to report on. But I do know that I am doing my best and that is all I can do. I've been thinking this week about why I am here. Why was I specifically supposed to come here? I was thinking about the scriptures. Really, the principles are all the same. We learn about faith. We learn about repentance. We learn about baptism. We learn about the Holy Ghost. The only thing that changes in the scriptures is who is telling the stories. The only thing that changes as a missionary is who is talking to the people. The gospel is the same. The principles are the same. The people change. And THAT is why I am supposed to be in Falkirk right now. I don't know why. But God knows why, and when we are in His hands, we are safe.

I know that this Church is true! I am so grateful for each of you and for your example to me! Be happy, because we have so much to be grateful for, and God is happy when we are happy! So let's make God happy! :)

Love,

Sister Ricks