Terrible Choices

Dearest Family,

Everyone in my dreams has been making terrible choices lately. 

Sister Firth decided to give her number to a man who was wanted by the police.

Bishop Broadfoot helped that same wanted man in the blue jumper escape from the police.

I drove around the fabric store trying to catch the man and give him to the police.

Davey set a bomb in a mall and was going to blow the place up. 

I left my backpack on a double-decker in Ardrossan, and my companion told me we had to get to our appointment instead of retrieve my backpack. 

Lizzy Hiller forgot to tell me that she'd invited the Glasgow Zone Leaders swimming, and so we had loads more people to feed and Elder Van Den Bron and Elder Andrews just showed up at the church, which was also our house. 

Sister Firth went into the trees with the man who was wanted. I know she was going to get slashed but then I woke up. 

SO. Let's suffice it to say that I've not been sleeping too well! I would like it if all my dream friends would make better choices. Okay? 

It has been a crazy week. We got a new companion and lost her. We saw President and Sister Brown before 7:00 in the morning. We went on three exchanges. 

Sister Steed, my MTC companion, was serving in Ayr with Sister Pitcher. Unfortunately, Sister Pitcher was ill and had to go home. So Sister Steed went with her to the mission home and then texted us during our morning run that she would be at our flat in 15 minutes as our new companion. So she came to do that! The same day we were on exchanges with Hamilton so that still happened, and then the next day (because our Stake President is amazing) they found a mini-missionary to go with her back to Ayr. So she's back in her area and we are back as the Two Amigos. Ooft...sheer madness! But now everything's sorted and so that's nice.

Last Monday we went to Ayr to help with the sisters there before Sister Pitcher went home. That was nice, especially because we got some time on the beach before we were all together. It was seriously beautiful. Ah! Way pretty. I'll send some pictures to go along with it, because it was just gorgeous.  (Fun fact: did you know Scottish people describe food as gorgeous, beautiful, and lovely? I have yet to hear them say, "This is an adorable lasagna" but it could happen any day now.)

We got to meet our investigator, Jason, at Frankie and Benny's this week. That was yummy and he almost believes in Jesus now. 

We had a Relief Society Reach-Out Night, which was good but also funny because really that is just normal missionary work to us, so it wasn't a bit deal but it was nice to have others involved.

On Saturday, we got to do a Skype Lesson! That was really fun. Our really good friend, Lorna, has a friend in Arizona. He wants to be taught the lessons, and I guess there was some kind of problem with the missionaries there and they won't return his calls. And so we are teaching him! It was cool to Skype.  A few kinks we'll need to sort out, but it was really nice to be able to teach the Restoration through such a cool medium. It's amazing how technology really allows us to share the gospel more effectively. I'm still waiting for Skype-GQing, but I guess we'll have our milk before our meat. 

Cool quote: "When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit." Think about that when you receive your next trial/blessing. It's just good for ya! 

I can't believe that I've been out for nearly a year. In so many ways, it feels like I was wearing my yellow jumper and leaving for the MTC just yesterday. In other ways, though, it feels like I have been on a mission for a very long time. This is life now. I don't know what life would be like without finding and teaching others. In so many ways, it scares me how long I've been out because I don't have long to go. I want to use every second to its fullest—to allow others to experience, and myself to experience, the Lord's blessings for us. I know the Lord blesses us as a direct result of our obedience to His commandments, and as I continue to strive for exact obedience, I can receive blessings with exactness. How grateful I am to be a missionary! I am grateful for each of you and for your support and prayers. I love you all dearly! 

Have a great week! Share the gospel—I dare you! Triple double dog dare you! 

Love,

Sister Ricks xxx