Ryan's Entire Mission

Ryan's Entire Mission
ryan is in the far right corner

Ryan at a Zone Conference...

Ryan at a Zone Conference...

Ryan and President Brubaker

Ryan and President Brubaker

eating raw fish -- eeewww

eating raw fish -- eeewww

Ryan at temple - day before MTC drop off

Ryan at temple - day before MTC drop off
handsome guy!

Ryan and President Smith

Ryan and President Smith
getting set apart as a missionary

Welkom all friends and family of Elder Ryan Leash

We welcome you to the first edition of Elder Ryan Leashs' missionary blog. We hope that you will find the information included fun, informative and memorable. Please make comments and show Ryan your support by writing him often!







Sunday, February 28, 2010

Still at the MTC - singing in the choir!

February 24, 2010

Hello there,

My district decided that mom gets the “best mom” award because I have gotten the most letters out of all the Elders in our District. Is now the long-standing joke –“Elder Leash gets the ALL the letters l.o.l. I feel so loved. I really enjoy what you say in your letters.

We are going to be getting a new mission home; it will be call the Amsterdam Mission home and we will soon have a new mission president. This is all very exciting.

I have to tell you the Elder Osmond (D Osmond’s son) and I are a lot alike – both physically and in personality-wise. We are going to send a picture so that you can see.

The language is coming slowly but surely. I feel like I’m spitting all the time – the guttural noise is more pronounced that it is in German. Yesterday we had our Tuesday devotional and we heard from Brother Jensen of the Seventy. He gave a very powerful talk, in it he said…”don’t use music like bookends to a meeting. Hymns can be the Spirit quicker than anything else. Hymns can be used to introduce, to clarify and as a capstone. And then, “take away the Book of Mormon and what is the keystone of our religion? We Have None. The foundation has to be just right. Never let a day goes by without being in the scriptures.”
It was great. The spirit was very strong during the devotional. I sing in the choir for the devotionals and I really love that. Mom, I have a scripture for you, it is Philippians 1:3-5. I love you all. Thanks for the blog mom, people really like it.

Oh, quick note – missionaries don’t get to go to B.Y.U. anymore – bummer. And my companion snores, but I figured out that if I clap it disgruntles him enough that he will roll over and stop lol.

Love you,
Elder Ryan Leash

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Hallo Mijn Familie! Feb. 2010

I have sent some letters out that you will receive soon. Aunt Amy is so sweet, she has told me that if the food in the MTC is not healthy enough for me she will work something out on my behalf. The food isn't really that bad, I get 3-5 food options per meal. I have kinda pulled back on the complete health food nut for now - I need to store some fat for winter.
Mom, I am so happy about your calling! This will be great for you and I know you will do well in Relief Society. I am worried about Sister Crans...she will be in my prayers!
I have some news - they have split my mission now. It is called the Amsterdaam, Netherlands Mission and it includes the Northern half of Belgium, from Brussels up, as well as all of the Netherlands. Anyway, I miss you all and hope all is well.
P.S. I love this quote: "The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be in the walls of your own homes." Harold B. Lee

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

First Letter - WwwwAAAAYYYY!

Ryan sent a letter and told me he already feels at home in the MTC. He says, "I love it...and the MTC is awesome." He told about how he had to jump into the missionary work within fifteen minutes of getting to the MTC and they had to 'role play' - he told me the role play was different and that he had a story to tell, but he will tell me on a tape and send it for us.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Waiting to hear...

I am in that funny space between the "drop off" and the "wondering" ....I am continually thinking of what Ryan might be doing in the MTC and what he might be learning. I know that learning a new language is very intense, and I am sure that he doing a great job! I can't wait to hear from him and know how it's going. I am thinking of all the things he might want in a care package..does anyone have any fun and creative ideas?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Drop Off

I must warn all the missionary moms out there - the MTC "drop off" is like going through a fast food drive in - except that you aren't ordering and picking up junk food - but rather dropping off your most precious sons and/or daughters.
Another mother was next to me dropping her son off, sobbing because the 'host' elder said that he couldn't take a pic. of she and her son (?) and so I took it and gave her a comfort hug. Ten minutes later I saw her at the same gas station, hunched over her steering wheel, continuing to sob. I rapped on her window and she got out and we hugged again - this can only happen in Utah - anywhere else and they think you have a mental illness....
I have been praying non-stop since yesterfay and sending positive feelings for him. For those of you that may wonder if I am overprotective and a worrier - the answer is "yes".
To my wonderful sister-in-law and her beautiful family who put up with my emotions for five days - I love you !

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Missionary Training Center

O.K. today is the day. I am an emotional wreak, as I am sure, more missionary moms are. Ryan is taking everything in stride and "just wants to get out there and go to work." I am very proud of his having this priviledge. I know that as long as he is in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ he will be safe.
The day is going to go like this: 1:15 p.m. curbside drop off
1:30 dump things in room
1:40 meet teacher
1:50 meet President Smith (I think that is his name)
the rest of the day will be a lot of talk about the "White Bible" and rules.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Twenty Six Hours and Counting
Elder Ryan Leasht is making news in River City...(actually Alpine City, Utah) This handsome, charmin, well-groomed young man will be entering the MTC for his missionary training on Wednesday, February 10th at approximately 1:15 p.m. His mother will be freaking out and his aunt will try to console her with hugs and well wishes. Elder Ryan has always had a secret desire to become a flying Dutchman and finally his dream will come true. He loves tulips, daffodils, wooden shoes, raw fish eaten in the town square and Dutch brothers and sisters searching for the joy of the gospel. God speed good elder - we are praying for your success!