1-12-11

Loves!!!
It has been a fantastic week.  I have definitely had my ups and downs, but in the end it all turned out Fantastic.  The language is getting harder, and I am totally lost over half of the time, but I can't get down on myself that won't help anyone.  I had some of the most spiritual experiences this week.  We taught our teacher.   I was really nervous at first because he can be a little intimidating, but after about three or four minutes the spirit just took over, and it was amazing! Our companionship has had a hard time at teaching with unity because there are three of us.  It makes it a lot more difficult.  But in this particular experience the Spirit took over, and we were all talking as if it was just one of us.  It was incredible!  After we all just looked at each other, and squealed like little girls.  I had never felt that way when we had taught before.  Yesterday Elder Holland was the speaker at our Devotional. It was AMAZING. He definitely changed me.  I realize that I have so much I need to work on to be the type of missionary I want to be.  Something I loved that he said was, "Once you are a missionary you can never go back. We need to always be disciples of Jesus Christ.  Even when our time as a missionary is over."  I just love being a missionary!
The Elders are Hilarious! They really make my day. Sometimes if I am frustrated they all brighten up my day in like two seconds.  There are a few of them that are leaving next week and I am really sad.  It is shocking how quickly you can create strong friendships here.  The Spirit really plays a role in all aspects of the MTC.  I love it so much. Talk to you next week.
Love,
Hermana Ricks
P.S. You are not going to believe this.  Last P-day after I wrote to you I randomly saw Jared Perry, and Nathan Harris.  It made my week.  It felt so good to see people that I knew before the MTC.