Dead Good

Dearest Family, 

What a great week! Sister Kline moved off to Dublin, I got a great new companion named Sister Jones, Thomas got baptized, we went into Edinburgh for New Mission Leadership Training, we got a few new sisters—it was just carazy! 

Introduction of Sister Jones: She is dead brilliant. She's from Minnesota. She is studying at BYU (lived at Sparks 2) and is majoring in Neuroscience. She's super smart and super on the ball. She likes to run. She likes to sing. She is easy to get along with. Consequence: We're going to have a great transfer!

Thomas got baptized: I keep writing "Thomas had a baptism" or something that eradicates the need for an apostrophe. I don’t remember how to make Thomas possessive. I also don't remember how to spell possessive. But anyway.  [Mom’s note:  Thomas’s baptism] 

The baptism was great! His family came (his sister, brother-in-law, and brother) and they loved it as well. I sang "When I am Baptized" for him. It wasn't the best thing ever, but the spirit was there, and I love Thomas a lot. A few members of the ward came, and our investigator, Jackie, came.  So did Davey. It was altogether a wonderful service. He bore his testimony after his baptism and at church after his confirmation. I cannot believe that he went from a drunk man whom we taught the Restoration to to someone who is now ready for a calling and the Priesthood. Amazing! 

Other updates: Did I already tell you that Sheryl, our other recent convert, is going on a mission? And Michael, the one that I was here when he was baptized in October, is going as well? He got his long, red hair cut this week. And he got a calling!  He's now an Elder, along with another man who was baptized in May, Jon Kilkoyne. So amazing. The work is really moving forward because Heavenly Father wants to hasten His work! 

Random Fact: Irvine Ward loves to sing random songs. That is all fine and dandy but can be a bit awkward sometimes when you're the ward pianist and you flip to a hymn and don't have a clue what it sounds like. It's also awkward when you play and nobody sings because they don't know it either. :) He he he!

Sister Kline and I had a chippy on the beach in Ardrossan before she left. That was one of the cooler things I've done, and most Scottish-y. I loved that, and it was delicious. I think fish tastes better by the seashore. And covered in batter. Haha. 

Well, I canny think of anything else to share! Besides Happy Birthday to Platte and hope the day went very well! I hope that you all have the best week ever!

Love, 

Sister Amanda Ricks

P.S. President Brown is famous! He's on a church video that just went onto LDS.org called "Hastening the Work in Europe." He is the thoughtful one who is wearing our mission tie. So cool!