May 17, 2010

May 17, 2010

Dear Everyone,

How is everyone? Life here was crazy earlier on this week, my companion enjoyed it, but things are still pretty new so it was not my favorite week, but with zone conference and zone p-day back to back…I did get to know a lot of the people in my district! Zone conference was very cool because we had the departing missionaries bare their testimonies and it was moving to see how much their mission meant to them and how much it has helped them grow and mature and how they have been able to help other; a real testimony booster for me and the work I’m doing to be sure! Well, after our craziness earlier in the week, we came back Thursday and we did our weekly planning that we didn’t have time for earlier in the week and while we were planning my companion and I baked some chocolate chunk banana bread for some of the ward members who help us a lot. We made three loafs, but somehow only two made it out to the ward....lol. We had ward conference yesterday and the stake pres came, of course. It was very nice because while I was on splits in Brada, I actually had dinner with our stake pres. and after dinner we went to a memorial service for those who died in WWII - he insisted we go to, so in any case, I got to know him and his family pretty well!

What else....... I chopped off all of my hair yesterday (myself and pretty much butchered it lol) and I have been packing on the pounds also so know I don’t have to worry about keeping the girls away! But don’t worry mom I’m still healthy! Oh and warm too! Don’t worry :) Well, transfers are in about a week and I’m starting to get a little nervous just because I love this area! I love my comp too; - we are getting along great :) As far as work goes it was a little slow to start out with just because of the crazy schedule, but we came back and been making some amazing strides with an investigator of ours from Kenya. Her name is Caroline and we have gone through the Restoration and the BOM with no real issues which I feel is a miracle in and of itself, but she also reads the assignments we give her and she is really sweet; I always look forward to our appointments with her!

Today we are out on our bikes because Haary is taking a much needed day off (at age 80) and so we are on bike:/ lol this wouldn’t be as much of a bummer if it wasn’t hailing out lol so I got all decked out with a sweater and my rain slickers and regretted it not 5 minutes later just because of all the layers I had on I started sweating like crazy and it was a really gross feeling and anyway, in sum..........I love missionary work! I can’t believe I am already coming to the close of my first transfer! Where did that month and a half go?! aah!

We have been doing much service lately just because it is that time of year, so lots of yard work etc. We also have been getting a lot of blessing too which I feel so privileged to take part in! Its funny because I was just talking to my companion the other day; I definitely feel the spirit while we give blessings, but often after those we have given a blessing to have been crying, and just seemed overwhelmed by the spirit and my comp and I have come to the conclusion that because we are doing what we are supposed to and because of the calling we carry we almost always have the spirit with us -- what a blessing! Yes, things are good here :) I’m alive and well or rather fat and happy ha-ha (really immersing myself in the culture ;) and I can’t complain! I love you and miss you lots! Please write!

Elder Leash (Ryan)