March 27, 2017 - Week 92

Mom,

So the week of spring break, what a fun time you all had. I heard about it from a few different people, and it sounds like you all had a very fun, relaxing time that was also filled with delicious food which is always a plus. You'll definitely have to show me that ice cream sandwich place when I get back. But that's awesome, I'm glad you all enjoyed the time. 

Wow, my last week was like a whole different world too!! I have been in small cities and units before but Choix is a different ball game, I really do love it!! Every Wednesday and Saturday we have to travel out to this other small town (if you can call it that, it's more of just a group of houses) called Cajon. A couple of families who are members live out there and they are kind enough to feed us. It is a couple of hours away walking so it eats up a pretty good chunk of our day, but its nestled right up in the mountains and it's so awesome!! I don't have a cord to my camera, so I can't send pics, but don't worry I will show you all of them in 11 weeks;) Yesterday at church we had a very beautiful service as well. The members here are awesome, although small in number, very strong in testimony and desire to serve. One cool experience this week... we were walking, and a car pulled up and a man probably about 28 years old named Sergio got out and said, "Elders, can you go to the house tonight and give my father in law a blessing and teach him and my mother in law the plan of salvation? I'm a member visiting from Mesa AZ and he is sick." Hahaha we obliged. His family is very nice and they went to church on Sunday. Unfortunately, Sergio goes back to the USA soon but we will continue to teach his family!! We also found a bunch of other new people who are awesome, the people here are very accepting which is nice.

Elder Wood and I are really getting along well too. I love being with brand new missionaries like him, they bring such a powerful spirit with them and I feel like I can teach them some of the things I wish that I would have known when I was new. We spent a lot of time working on the lessons and especially in Spanish. I told him the language is like a giant puzzle... it take a long time, seemingly endless at times, to get all the edges and corner pieces down, but then it all starts clicking, and you start making connections. I like seeing that progress with him as his companion. He has been here in Choix for a couple months already so he is showing me the area and introducing me to all the investigators and everything. We have also had to travel to other areas a lot this week for baptismal interviews, meetings, and all the other stuff. We spend a lot of money on bus fees, haha. 

But I am super super happy and trying to make the most of every second I have left, I'm so stoked for General Conference this weekend!! It will be the last one I have, which is hard to believe, but I'm anxious to hear the inspired messages they have prepared for us. I love your idea of having a couple of questions to look for the answers to. Something I will be doing, and inviting all the investigators to do too!! 

Well, Family, I love you all so much!! You're the best!! I can't wait to hear from you all next week!!

All love,

Ryan 

March 20, 2017 - Week 91

Mom and Family,


Hey family what's up? So I will start right off with the big news on transfers... after 4 months I did in fact have to leave Guamuchil. In Guamuchil I left many many friends and timeless memories that I will forever be grateful for. My new area, and almost indubitably my last area, is a small town in Sinaloa that's close to the Chiuahua border called Choix. Choix is situated up in the mountains and it's definitely really, really pretty. I mean, that's about all I know about it so far, haha I arrived like 30 minutes ago and we still have a lot to do. But I'm really excited to be here, I know the Lord always has something for us to learn with each transfer. My new companion is a missionary with about 2 months in the mission, named Elder Wood. He is from Mesa, Arizona. He is a really great guy and I'm excited to be spending this time working hard with him.

So yeah, that is the definite highlight of the week, haha. Really kinda steals the spotlight from any other thing that we did during the week. But it was a really good last week in Guamuchil with Elder Beecher. We found some really great new investigators, had a couple of baptisms that we had to get ready, for Ines, Maria and Dana. We also had intercambios with some other missionaries. I worked with Elder Chichia, who was my companion for 3 months and was in his last week of the mission. His parents came to pick him up and we had stake conference this weekend, so I got to meet Elder Chichia's parents at stake conference and tell them about how good of a missionary their son is and say goodbye to him before he headed out today.

At stake conference, an Area 70 named Elder Martinez came and talked to us. He gave a great talk on personal revelation. He said that answers to our questions to God usually come in 3 forms, one can be yes, one can be no, and one can be God letting us use our wisdom and feelings to take the liberty to decide what we think is best. President Myers also went to the stake conference and delivered a powerful message about the power of the Priesthood. He is so funny and good at connecting with the people he speaks to.

I really liked the pics from the wedding. Everyone really did look so happy!! It makes me happy to know that the sacred blessings are available to all families who live worthy to enter the temple. We are blessed to have that knowledge. Well, I am going to have to keep this short cause we're not gonna have a ton of time today but I love you all so much. I'm blessed with such a great family!! I hope everyone has a great week, I love you all!!

Love and Prayers,

Ryan

March 13, 2017 - Week 90

Mom,

What's good family?? Wow, yeah, 90 weeks does sure sound like a lot. With the ones I have left, I most definitely want to make the most of them!! So this week you will be going back out to VA for Jerry`s wedding?? That should be a lot of fun. Who is going to be there out of all of your siblings? When was the last time you made it out to Virginia? Grandpa wrote me and told me that they're heading out in the week too, that will be a lot of fun. I want some pictures of all of the festivities!

So this week there were a few families of investigators who attended church with us which was so awesome! What was even better was that the ward went on a temple trip to Hermosillo this weekend, so a couple of members were able to share their thoughts and experiences. One family who went got sealed to their kids and shared powerful testimony of their sealing and the truthfulness of the restored gospel, which had a fantastic impact on the families that were there listening to these things. Our investigators were among them, and they were particularly intrigued by it. Their baptisms will be the week after General Conference! Another family was a part member, less active family. They hadn't gone to church for 7 years because of things that had happened shortly after their baptism. But they went, and their experience was a positive one, the members of their family that aren't members are also preparing to be baptized with our other two investigators. I'm super stoked to see their progression.

Today we got together with a couple of elders from a neighboring city and we played 3 on 3 basketball. It's safe to say that basketball outside in 95 degree weather isn't the most comfortable experience, but it is pretty fun! It made me excited to go and play with my friends when I get back. I think I might need to get in a little bit better shape though, haha. After, we grilled up some meat, got some handmade tortillas and made guacamole, which I finally learned how to make haha. It was super fun though. I don't know where I will be next week, because this is the last week of the transfer, but I sure would be happy to stay here in Guamuchil!! I'm loving it here! But whatever happens, happens! Come what may and love it. 

Well Fam, I hope you guys are all doing well. I miss you guys and you're always in my thoughts and prayers. It won't be too long before we`re reunited, which makes me really happy; everyone just keep working hard! Haha. Well, I love you all, have a fantastic week. 

I love you all,

Ryan 

March 6, 2017 - Week 89

Mom,

Wow big news with the BYU acceptances!! Congrats to all who got in. What an exciting time!! I mentioned to Alyssa that Fall 2017 is really creeping up on us, it will be such a blast to be up there with all of the siblings, and so many cousins! So yeah, big congrats to all of them, I'm really happy for them. That's awesome that you guys got to have some time with Lauren free of any of the added stress of studying. 

So will Grandma and Grandpa be coming home for both Colin and Jerry´s weddings? That'll be really fun for you to go back home. When was the last time you were there? I can testify of that, after spending so much time away from home, it's true that there is no place like home, haha. But things here are moving right along... Every few months I look back and reflect on the ways that I've improved or how things have changed in my mission.. I realize that one never stops learning. Many times it feels like I've finally got everything figured out and then I realize that there's still so much to learn, haha. The key is to just always be looking for ways to be taught and to learn, and it will come!!

Here we are working with people who are continuing to progress very well.. We should have 2 people baptized right at the beginning of April or the end of March. We had a cool experience on Saturday...Our investigators study out of town, so we only get to see them on the weekends, but we went to their house on Saturday to set up an appointment for the night time, and we ran into the man's sister in law. We talked to her for a bit and she told us that she would actually be really interested in going to church too, mostly so that her kids can have a good base. It is cool because she's been seeing the changes with her in-laws and subconsciously wants the same for her own family. I am thankful because both Elder Beecher and I were able to testify to her that the faithful example of loving parents really can have an infinite impact on the lives of the children, because we were both fortunate enough to have benefited from such examples in our lives. 

Other than that, we are also working with a part member family that recently lost a family member, and have had some bad experiences with other members of the ward in years past, but they are opening up to the idea of going back to church. This week they told us they were going to go, but at the last moment had to cancel. They treat us super well, and are always willing to help us and they really get us rolling on the ground with laughter haha. So I really do hope the best for them and am excited to see their return to the church. 

All is very well here.... We have a guaranteed 2 more weeks left here in Guamuchil, and I wanna live up every second of it! I really do love it here. Oh and thanks for getting everything lined up with the apartment... I'm relieved to have everything all but finalized so really, thank you for doing that. It's so nice to know that everything is great back at home and that you all are well. I'm excited to hear about all of your lives! I love you all and feel very blessed to be apart of this amazing family!

Have a great week, all love!!

Ryan

February 27, 2017 - Week 88

Mom,

Hey fam, what´s goin' on?? I always laugh cause I can never keep track of when you guys are in Utah and when you're in Nevada. But I guess the majority of the family now lives in Utah, so it makes sense why you guys spend more time up there than here. Grandma sent me a picture of all the snow that you guys got in Fallon, and it's so crazy how it brings me back to the countless snowy days in Fallon that I had throughout my time there! Its been 3 years since I've lived in Fallon in the winter but it still feels like yesterday.

Here in Guamuchil we´re currently in the middle of a 5 day celebration called Carnival. Which is the Guamuchil-equivalent of Mardi Gras. Obviously, much much less chaotic, but it's still pretty big news in the city. Some of the biggest artists from Mexico come here and perform and all the people here get pretty pumped for it. We obviously cannot go, but it's been interesting to see the buzz about it. This week was still really good though.

We found a woman to teach who also has 2 daughters. They have a very good orientation with the things that a good person should do, but still have yet to find if there´s something more that God wants of His children. We told them that we would gladly help them to find out! We´re in a similar situation with another lady. She has great questions and really sincere desire to know the truth, but has been receiving heavy opposition from her loved ones. All of them should have very great conversions.  We feel good about all of them, as well as the others we are teaching who all continue to progress well.

Today for Pday, we got together with Elder Christensen and Elder Hale, and ordered some pizza, made root beer floats, and played card and dice games. We had to go through a little bit of searching to find root beer and dice but we got it all. It was a lot of fun, and I learned some great new games that I'll have to teach you guys when I get home!! Mom, I was also thinking that something that might be fun to do as a family when I get back would be doing a huge puzzle together. I remember doing that on a few occasions and it was a lot of fun and a great time to catch up!! I thought of that randomly the other day, so I wanted to tell you before I forget haha.

This week we also had interviews with President Myers, and a special zone meeting with him. I can't tell you guys how big of a help he and Sister Myers have been to me, and really to the whole mission. I'm sure they were sent here to change and impact the lives of many people, they have such a special and fun spirit about them!! We're super blessed to have them here.

Big congrats to Adrienne and Matt on the new baby!! Teddy has 2 cousins in the Ciudad Obregon mission that will be anxiously waiting to meet him lol.

Well, I hope everything is swell with you guys!! It makes me so happy to hear from you, I love you all. Have a great week. 

Lots of love,

Ryan

February 20, 2017 - Week 87

Mom,

Hey family, how are you doing?? Wow all sorts of bishoprics are being reorganized haha. There was one other here in our stake that also didn't have a bishop for almost a year. It really does change the mentality of a ward. That's funny, I was actually thinking to myself yesterday, ¨I wonder if Bishop Ludlow will still be bishop when I get home, probably so.¨ I didn't even know Brad Stokes had moved into our ward, but I'm glad he did, he´ll be a killer bishop no doubt. 

So how was the rest of your week? You guys telling me about moving Tommy and Courtney reminds me of how bad moving sucks haha... But it sounds like they are in a killer new spot, which definitely makes moving a lot more enjoyable. In my last area, I lived in a total dump for 6 months, and here in Guamuchil the house is superr nice, which makes moving a lot more enjoyable, haha. Here it's been such a positive experience, the ward has improved greatly and we are having really great success with the members and the investigators, everything´s going well and it makes me lose track of the time. 

So this week we found this man who is interested in the church.  He understands really well and asks great questions, on Friday we invited him to church and he informed us that he wouldn't be able to because he has to go to a surrounding area every Sunday afternoon. We were kinda bummed about that, and then on Sunday morning he called us and told us that he had actually thought it over well, and that he would arrange his schedule so that he could go to church with us, and he went! R and O also went, and it was a really beautiful service. The  missionaries spoke, I chose to speak on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. 

The weather here has been pretty crazy, on Saturday we got caught in a rain storm, with a vicious wind, which chilled us right to the bone and left us soaking wet haha. My clothes, believe it or not, are actually holding up pretty well though. Hopefully they can last for another 3 months. Another funny experience from the week, was that Elder Beecher and I had to go into the secretary´s office in the church to get something out for the new bishop, and so he lent us his key. We went in, and shut the door behind us, commenting on how weird it was that there was no doorknob on the inside of the office, only another keyhole. We got ready to leave and tried opening the door with the key we used to get in, and it didn't work!! So we realized that we were locked inside that tiny, dark office and no one else was in the building, and we had the only key to open the door inside with us. Luckily, we called other missionaries, slid the key under the door, and they let us out. But that was like an hour and a half later, and of course the hounded us relentlessly, lol.

So to answer your questions, that picture that Sister Lee sent was from a few weeks back. I have seen her a couple of times though, she seems like a nice girl and hard worker. And as far as summer plans, yeah that sounds chill, I really don't care what we do, I will love to do whatever it is with you guys!! I would like to know where everyone will be on the dates of June 12th till whenever I go up to Utah. I will also probably need to do some serious replenishing of my wardrobe haha. Other than that, I'm totally open to whatever! Its getting really close, kinda crazy huh. 

I want to share a scripture with you guys before signing off, something good to consider for all of us. 

O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it. And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

I love you all so much, hope you have a great week, always in my thoughts and prayers!!

Love,

Ryan 

Feb. 13, 2017 - Week 86

Mom,

Whats up family!! How are y'all doing? So Mom, yeah to answer your question, I don't know this for sure, but traditionally the missionaries go home the day of transfers, so that would have me flying in to Reno on June 12th! Not all that far away huh?! What summer plans are you planning??

So this week was super great for us, Elder Beecher and I are opening the area here, which just means that we started from scratch with no investigators. But we worked really hard this week and found some great new people and many of them went to church!! Another really noteworthy item from the week was that there was a bishop called to the ward yesterday, after like 2 years that they've gone without a bishop. So we´re starting with 4 missionaries, a new bishopric, and all of the members are very excited. So we should have some big news from the ward in the weeks to come!!

It's been so fun to be here with Elder Beecher, because we are just constantly laughing and joking, but also working really hard. He is from Saratoga Springs, Utah. It is funny and really a blessing because we decided to room together at BYU this fall and then we became companions, so we are having a really enjoyable time together. I've really been blessed with great companions being great friends throughout my whole mission. 

During the week, we had a meeting in Los Mochis with Pres Myers and we talked a lot about the teachings of Gordon B Hinckley and his optimism. I think it's incredible to see how optimistic Gordon B Hinckley was. It's something I would really like to be able to improve on, you and dad were always great examples of that to me too. Being optimistic requires great faith and hope, which requires diligent study and prayer. I think that's a goal that I want to have, to be more optimistic.

So what new plans do you guys have?? I'll be really curious to know what becomes of the renaming of our street. Hopefully we get a sick new street name haha. I hope you guys keep killing it in school and work and in life!! You're constantly in my prayers and I love knowing that you're all good!!

All Love from Guamuchil!!!

Ryan