Lake Superior- Week 83

 Hello everyone!!!! The last 2 weeks have been crazy! We finished up all the Zone Conferences and I finally got to go to Michigan! Took some awesome pictures with Lake Superior! I have also been able to go on some exchanges with tons of amazing Elders who have taught me a ton! There is so much work to be done and so little time to do it! I can't believe that I only have 5 months left in my mission. I love my mission so much!
We were supposed to have a baptism, a girl named Alina, but there were a couple family problems that came up and it got pushed back a little bit! She is still so awesome and she even came again to church! Baptism is so cool and I love getting to invite people to be baptized! Also, being in the YSA ward here in Milwaukee is so fun! They are so great and are so missionary minded!
We stay pretty busy and I'm so grateful for all the prayers that have been sent my way! 
As I have been preparing for the General Conference this weekend I reflected on some of President Russell M. Nelson's opening remarks in the April 2020 General Conference. He says, "the purpose of this and every general conference is to help us to hear Him." As we come prepared with questions we can receive revelation that "will bring peace to your soul ... will heal your broken heart ... will illuminate your mind ... [and] will help you know what to do as you move ahead through times of turmoil and trial." I invite you to prepare your hearts and minds to receive what the Lord has in store for you during this General Conference!
I love you all! 

DO GOOD, BE GOOD
Love,
Elder T. Ricks

Week 82- No email

Christlike attributes & thrones- Week 81

 Hey everyone!!!! I hope everything is going super well for all of you!! Thank you for all of your love and support! 

This week has been so fun getting to see so many of my missionary friends!!! Hermana Kono, Hermana Wadley, Sister Ross, Elder Lacey, Sister McMorris, Elder Eskeets, Elder Hatch, Sister Wheeler, Sister Glick and Sister Riddle and so many more!! It's so fun getting to go and see so many of my great friends in the mission because of the spiritual unity that we have made by working diligently and having spiritual experiences together!!! Reminds me of Alma 17:1-3!!! 

I have been focusing a lot on the Christlike attributes this last week and just the importance of becoming something and not just doing things! As we progress in life and become agents to choose for ourselves we are becoming like out Father in Heaven!! (D&C 58:26-29) 'Oh how great the plan of our God!' (2 Nephi 9:13) I am so grateful for the plan that He has for us to become like Him!! 2 Peter 1:5-10 has helped me to learn about why it is so important for us to obtain Christlike attributes and I invite you all to read his words!!!! I love you all!

DO GOOD, BE GOOD

Love,

Elder T. Ricks 

Wow x1000- Week 80

 Life is so amazing!!! I hope that you are all doing so great!! Life is what you make it haha:) I sure am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants the best for us!!!

 

We did a super fun service project with right outside of Miller Park!!!! It was tons of fun and we were able to help give lots of people tons of food!! A Hispanic even came and I was able to be the translator!! It was the best, I even got a suuuuper good mask tan line on my face🥳😎

 

We were able to go on exchanges with some other elders and it was so much fun, I was with Elder Borja, he knows like 5 languages! I was sending a message to this guy and looked over at his phone and he was typing a message to a guy who spoke Korean and I was like what the!! He was so funny. 

This week we saw a ton of success, all thanks to Heavenly Father! But we were able to invite 4 of His children to be baptized!!! Alina, Mechie & Kaela for the 26th of September and Tiffany for the 3rd of October!! Could you all pray for them?? It has been so great to be able to serve with Elder Hansen! I've learned soooo much from him and continue learning! 

 

Also!!!!!!!! Super excited news!!!!! My cousin Cayden got married this last week, so excited for him:) 

 

As you think about ways that you can be happier and feel more successful the best way that you can feel love for others is through serving them and helping them come to the knowledge of the truth!! In the April 1999 General Conference, President Hinckley said, "Let there be a cultivated an awareness in every member's heart of his own potential for bringing others to a knowledge of the truth. Let [the]m work at it. Let [the]m pray with great earnestness about it." I know sometimes it can be daunting to share your beliefs with anyone but how much easier can it get by just sharing an uplifting Facebook post!!!! The promise of happiness when you are sharing the gospel is true, 'how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!' (D&C 18:16). I know the gospel is true! I know as you pray to know how you can share it with others you will be happier. I invite you to share even just 1 uplifting post, share a scripture that you liked, or even share your testimony on any social media and I promise you will have a great affect on many others and you will have eternal joy!! 

 

DO GOOD, BE GOOD

 

Love,

Elder T. Ricks 

Assistant to the President

 Dear  Elder Ricks,



Sister Murphy and I congratulate you on your recent call to serve as an Assistant to the President. We are grateful for all you have done to prepare yourself for this important assignment. We love you and have great confidence in you.



As an Assistant to the President your responsibilities are to : 1) set an example of faith and obedience, 2) proselyte effectively and baptize consistently in your own area,  3) go on 24-hour exchanges in order to train the zone leaders during each transfer cycle,  4) conduct the monthly mission leadership council and participate in training the zone leaders and sister training leaders,  5) receive weekly reports for key indicators from zone leaders,  6) coordinate missionary travel with zone leaders, as needed, for meetings and transfers,  7) train, as directed, in other meetings, and  8) give assistance, as needed, to Sister Murphy and me. You have been called to this position because of your preparation and great desire to be a missionary and represent Jesus Christ.



We are thankful for your wonderful example as a servant of the Lord and I want you to know that Heavenly Father cares about you deeply. Thank you for helping the missionaries in our mission feel the love that God has for them and see how they can be more effective in their areas. May you seek and receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost to guide you in this important calling. Please set an example of dedication, obedience and love for God by helping all the missionaries in our mission learn to develop a similar desire to align their will with that of Heavenly Father. You will feel great joy as you continue to love God and serve others.



Love,



Sean B. Murphy, President
Wisconsin Milwaukee MIssion