Wheesht

Dearest Family,

I can't think of anything creative or clever to start this e-mail, so here's what we did this week! 

On Monday, we went to Anstruther for the best chippie in the UK, and it was delicious. Then we headed to St. Andrews and took a look around the lovely place where Kate and William found love. :) So cute! We went into a cafe where they probably ate together all the time, but it was expensive-ish so we walked in and walked back out. It was lovely. We also saw the Chariots of Fire beach in St. Andrews. I've never seen Chariots of Fire, but now I want to. Hahaha. 

Other highlights of the week were Sunday, where everything was funny for no reason, and I probably should have six-pack abs from all the laughing I did. Seriously, it was hilarious. 

On one day, we went a home different way that I've never gone before because we felt prompted to. As we did, we crossed over the street to talk to a woman and she was so sweet. She'd seen "Meet the Mormons" (a show they had play over here where it was just a negative view of missionaries crying and missing home and made us look like weirdos) and as we talked to her, we set up a return appointment to teach our lessons to her. We were prompted in several specific ways to help her accept a return appointment. Sadly, when we went to our appointment, she neither was there nor responded to our texts or calls. It's really sad and frustrating when people's agency gets in the way. :( I just am so sad that people make choices that pull them away from the Savior. 

F-- continues to progress well. I seriously believe he was sent to us so that we would stay encouraged while a bunch of other prepared people don't keep their appointments. He is doing so well. We taught the Word of Wisdom and he is doing pretty well. He is still looking for a job, and we're praying that he'll get one! He is just absolutely brilliant and is one of my favorite people that I've ever taught on my mission. I love him to bits. 

Yesterday was Zone Development and it was ridiculous how tired I was getting! How did I used to play an hour and a half of football and not get tired? I would sprint for like thirty seconds and need a break before I could do that again--I felt like I was 60 years old. Eek! 

Apart from these things, the work is progressing, steadily but surely. :) Sure and steady wins the race, I guess, eh?

I really just wanted to focus on my testimony this week. It's been so interesting that throughout my mission, I have come to realize how much I don't know about the gospel. I thought I knew about the Plan of Salvation. I thought I knew what prayer was for and why we had faith. To be honest, I am now wondering if I ever knew the answers to these questions. I don't truly know what faith is and I don't know why we pray. I don't know why most of our rules are there. But the things that I do know--the doctrines of the church--have blessed my life when I have applied them. And to me, that is enough to convince me that my membership in this Church, and the opportunity to serve the Lord on a mission, have been a good and beneficial thing in my life. I still have questions. I still don't understand everything. But I understand enough for now. And I will keep looking. 

I love you all! 

Sister Ricks