Hey Family,

How is everything going? It was great to get all your emails. They for sure made my day. So everything is pretty much the same here. We have a "family" or a group of friends, I guess I should say, that all live together and they seem really interested in the church. There are two couples and two friends, so six in total. The two couples aren't married and they said that they don't want to be. They told us that they are living in "amor libre" or free love. That is one of the big problems in the spanish assignment. There are a lot of people who we have to get married before we can baptize them. Anyway, we have quite a few investigators, and they all like the gospel and what we teach, but the problem we are having right now is getting them to want to change or do something that they are not comfortable with.

My spanish is getting better, just last night we had two dinner appointments so we had to split up. My two trainers went to one and Elder Ford and I went to the other. Elder Ford kind of has a hard time with spanish, so he didn't say a word all night. I talk a ton and they gave me some advice on mexico and we just talked about all sorts of things. It was a lot of fun. And just the other night I talked to this guy who is from Mexico City and he talks so fast. It was pretty hard to understand everything, but I got most of it. I hope I can talk like him when I get out there.

Anyway... everything is going pretty good. I wish I had more to write, but I wouldn't know where to start. You are all just going to have to wait until I can read my journal to you. I am writing in spanish now so that is the only way you are going to get to know what happened. Life is good though. Please keep praying for my visa! My address here is:

8060s 615e

sandy utah 84070

Mom, that is so awesome about matthew. I wish I could have seen it. It sounds like life is going pretty good. I am so glad that it is. So I have no idea when my visa is going to come. We just got 20 more "visa waiters" in the mission a couple days ago. I really hope it comes soon. I love you so much and thank you for the email.

Dad, Hailey said that you and mom went to a chicago concert. How was it? So are you coaching matthew? it sounds like it was a pretty fun weekend. I love being out here, but at the same time I really want to get to mexico. Thank you for the prays and please keep praying. I love you

Matthew! Dude! That is crazy that you won the Lion's tournament. I never won that when I was a kid. Mom and Dad said you are doing way good. I hope you get to go to state. You better keep working hard at baseball and football so we can play when I get home. you are never going to be able to beat me, so keep dreaming sucker!! :) ha ha how is summer going? Are you working anywhere? I love you

First week in Salt Lake City South Mission

Hey everyone, I don't have a lot of time, but I will try to fill you in. I am in a four person companionship with Elder Flores, Nelson, and Ford. It is a lot different than the MTC. I love being able to talk to real people and use my spanish. Elder Nelson goes home in like 24 days, so he is more trunky than ever. It is hard sometimes because he never wants to work much. But other than that everything is pretty good. I am dying to get to Mexico so please pray for my visa.

We had five investigators at church yesterday and I wouldn't be surprised if we have a couple baptisms within the next three weeks. I with I could explain everything, but the area and the people are all new to me so I can't really tell you. I will write more as I learn more. Right now I am in the Riverton/Heramen area. It is huge, but a lot of fun. Spanish is coming pretty good and I love using it. I can understand almost everything but I still can't speak real fast.

Dad, how are you going? I am glad to hear that everything is going good back at home. It is kind of weird being this close. I love you and I will write more next week.

Mom, I hope you are doing amazing. It sounds like summer is as busy as ever. I love you

Everyone else, I don't have much time, but I hope you are all doing great. I still don't know exactly what my address is here, but I am sure you can find it online somewhere. It is just the mission office for the salt lake city south mission. I will write more next week I promise. I love you all and I hope you are all doing amazing. Pray for my visa!!! I love you :)

Elder Ricks

***Taylor's new P-day is Monday while he's serving in the Salt Lake City South Mission.**

Week 12

Hey everyone! How is everything going? So I called like fifteen times yesterday and didn't get anything. I am glad Shayla finally picked up. Anyway...... Salt Lake City South it is. I leave Tuesday morning at 8:30.. I am so glad to finally be getting out in the field.. I still really want to go to Mexico, but Salt Lake will be great.. Elder Jessup left for Ogden this morning and Elders Griffiths and Smith are still going to wait here. Elder Robert D Hales came and talked to us this last tuesday and it was great.. That is the fifth apostle we have heard here I think.. It is great.. Everything is going great.. Same old same old which is a good thing.. Spanish is coming along great.. Mom, thank you for the package.. I really needed it.. How is your class going? I hope you have fun with Nia in Ceder.. Make sure she looks good and hard for a job because they are hard to find down there.. Thank you for the letter.. I love you.. Dad, How are you doing? That is awesome about your work.. Let me know how it goes.. Everything is going great here.. I will make sure to call as soon as they let me which should be when I get my visa.. They said I could be there for four days and I could be there for two months.. They have no idea.. I love you.. Hailey, how are you going? I sent some pictures for you.. they should be there soon.. I tried to call you yesterday.. I am sad you didn't answer.. ha ha I will call you for sure when I leave for Mexico.. I love you.. Nia, how are you doing.. I am excited for you to have your little orientation.. You are going to love it.. I hope you can find a job.. Thanks for the letter.. I will try to write you next week okay? I love you.. Shayla!! It was so good to talk to you on the phone.. You already sound so different.. I am excited for your tennis.. Good luck.. I love you.. Matthew, Hey little brother.. It was good to talk to you on the phone.. sorry I could only talk for like one minute.. You sound so big.. Are you going to be able to beat me up? I don't think so.. How is your summer going? I love you.. Sorry about this email, the computer I am using is kind of messed up.. I hope you can understand all of my scattered thoughts.. And I am sorry about my spelling and grammer.. haha spanish is messing with my english.. I sent some pictures, so they should be there soon.. I hope you like them.. I have no idea what my address is for Salt Lake, but I will let you know on my next p-day.. And since I am not going to be in the MTC anymore, you can email me on this from know on if you want.. I have a scripture for all of you.. I know that every once in a while you are going to have some hard times and things won't make sense, but if you remember this scripture it will help so much.. 1 nephi 11:17.. If we can remember that God loves you, everything else will just fall into place.. As long as we share His love and act like we are His children, nothing will be too hard.. Life is good right? I love It and I love all of you.. I will write again soon and call as soon as I can.. I love you.. And dad, did you ever get a new debit card from zions for me? we ordered it before I can in remember? anyway.... if you have it send it out, but not til I give you my new address.. okay? I love you