Friday, June 23, 2017

Week 49 - Transfers! Parque Chacabuco

June 19, 2017

HoLa ToDoS

First off, HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MY DAD!!!! I hope it was a great day for you, Un Abrazo Fuerte Papa de aqui en Argentina!!!

Well I said my goodbyes to Elder Smith and Jose Leon Suarez this last Tuesday. 

President Smith called me on Monday night to tell me I'd be coming to the only area in the mission I have wanted to go, CHACABUCO! He also gave me the new assignment as Zone Leader.... Uh oh hahaha 

My new companion is Elder Amaya from Colombia! He is like a Colombian Tony Feick, we have had a lot of fun so far!

My birthday was weird. I just kept forgetting throughout the day that it was my birthday

This week was nuts! Just so many different things happened! The teaching is incredible, We had one lesson with a girl named Rosa about repentance, and the spirit was so strong! She was baptized Saturday with her Niece! 

Also last night we found a girl who acted like she knew everything, even at one point she said, "Yeah, there are always trials that get put in your way when you're about to reach your goals, like a rubio (blonde)" (Like my message was impeding her beliefs and came from satan)

Well long story short, she acepted a Baptismal date because the Spirit is a machine.

Thats about it, I leave ya with a good quote I saw:

"Faith moves mountains, Just don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel"

Elder Ryan






 

Week 48 - Happy 19th Birthday!

June 12, 2017

Thanks everybody for the Birthday wishes! The big 19! Maybe some people here will believe me when I tell them my age. hahaha probably not.

This week was very crazy. Lots of time taken out of working. Tuesday we had a District meeting, and we had to go to the offices to get a new cell phone. 

And the good part, we had lots of baptisms as a district. I think I was able to do 6 interviews this week, and also we had to ask another District Leader to come in to help out with the interviews.

Our one baptism here in Suarez 2 fell through, but things are still looking really good here.

Cecilia is progressing real well. She came to a baptism this week and was really involved with everything, and shes a very shy lady. 
Damiana and Javier are still having some problems, but theyre are coming to church still, and they want to be baptized
This week we haved planned that Daniel Diaz (Brother in law of Ruben Peña)

Theres not that many spiritual experiences this week, besides the baptismal interviews I could do. Theyre the coolest experiences ever!

Love you all!! I'll let you know about transfers if I get avised today!!!

Elder Ryan













 

Week 47 - Robbed...for real...

June 5, 2017

Well this week has been very similar to the last like 50.

Cecilia was not able to be baptized this week. She still wants to, but she doesn´t feel ready. Pray for her, she'll need some help to leap some barriers in her life, but she is so close!!

Javier wasn't able to come this week, but his wife Damiana could. She doesn't want to wait to get baptized so it could be this weekend. They really cool week with lots of blessings for going to church. They sell spare parts that they find around town for whatever electric or mechanical thing ya need. And this week they found like 7 TVs in working condition, and someone gifted them a truck, that works, to sell or use! So they have a big testimony now of the sabbath.
We also had interviews with President Smith this week. It was cool and nice to sit down, and talk about the needs that I have, especially now as a Leader.  It was weird, Ididn't  even need to tell him what I needed, he just knew!! And he told me exactly what I needed to hear. So yeah, he's called of God.

Also, I have been chased at night, and escaped barely from a robbery, had a man grab me and try to steal my phone, but fail because I'm too quick ;) But yesterday I got robbed for real, and it was the most boring of all my experiences.

2 Teenagers came up and put there arms around us, put their cell phones to our stomachs (To give the impression of a gun) Elder Smith said, "Ooo thats a nice phone you got there" Then they went through my pockets, stole my phone, my bus card, and my Mission Manual. They were half my height, maybe less, but as missionaries we can't give resistance unless it is very necessary.

He didn't take my watch tho so thats the good news.

Well thats my week, LES QUIERO MUCHO

Elder Ryan


Heres some pics of lunches with members, its about all I have











 

Week 46 - The only secret to Missionary Work is WORK!

May 29, 2017

I'm not even sure what to write about to be quite honest. I feel like it was just another week.

But oh well. So you all now from my complaints, that it was very, very hot here. Well nature has flipped it on us, and now it is very cold. I am a little sick today from it, but we go forward anways.

We had a very successful week as a District. We were able to have numbers that were better than all but two zones!! It was incredible, and we are expecting lots of success this weekend. If you don't know about Districts and Zones. Our Mission is divided into 9 Zones, and each zone is divided into 2 disticts.

Elder Smith and I also had lots of success in the church. A woman named Cecilia came again, and if all goes well, she will be baptized this next Sunday.

We also had a kind of crazy lady come, named Blanca. Shes very intelligent, takes great notes, and understands better the scriptures than anybody I have taught up to date. Shes just a little crazy.

And Damiana came again this week with her husband, Javier. They almost didn't come when we passed by for them Sunday Morning. They had been up all night trying to pay off a late gas bill. They told us they had to work that day, or they`ll lose the house. We promised them if they kept the Sabbath holy, theyd be blessed for it.

They dropped everything they were doing, and came to church! PUM!! 
They have dates for the 11th of June! So hopefully I'll have some birthday baptisms ;) hahaa

The Field IS WHITE, and it is READY TO HARVEST! I have seen the biggest problem with missionaries is that they don't believe that they can baptize, or that is only normal to baptize a little bit! 

The Lord has promised that there are people ready!! Whether it be Utah, Alabama, Argentina or China! We just have to be willing to work to find them! Faith leads to Works, and the only secret to Missionary work, is Work.

I Love you all!! 
Que Tengan una semana Maravillosa!! Felicidades por haber terminado un otro año de la escuela!! Les Quiero Muchísimo!!

Elder Ryan


1. We were so good with the first Open Chapel, they called us back
2. Like Father Like Son
3. Me with Juan el Bautista y Jesucristo
4. Otra Foto


 










 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Week 45 - Where Do We Start - Damiana

May 22, 2017

FELICITACIONES JAYDON AND KALLIE!!
We all knew it would happen for years now, but it doesn't take away from the sweet moment. Congrats on the Marriage, and welcome to the family Kal! (Officially haha)

It's been a week of a lot of learning in my studies. On Wednesday I did some exchanges with Elder Cunningham in his area. In the night we just turned on a bunch of Bruce R McConkie. Lets just say we were mezmorized by how cool his talks were, and I literally don't think I've sat thinking so deeply about anything in my whole life for so long of a time! 

I'm not sure what all the talks were, but one was his on the Atonement, one on the Priesthood, one on the Law of Consecration, the Book of Mormon, and like 7 others that I can remember.

Anyways it was weird the next day. I had felt so much more in depth with my knowledge of the Gospel, that I could feel so much more spirit in everything. When I testified in the streets it felt so much stronger as I literally felt so much importance of the message we had. Then I realized something about God and Knowledge.

I Really didnt learn anything new in all my studies or listening to McConkie. It wasn't like I found some new secret fact about the gospel. Rather the more we search the truth, The more God just makes it understandable to us.

Theres no big secrets to the Gospel, just how much you put in to it. The More You Read, Pray, Go to church, serve in your callings, and in your families, God simply shows you the truth, and it truly is so joyous.

This Sunday we had a lady come to church whose name is Damiana. I have been frustrated with people not coming to church lately. On Sunday she was the only one we had as well. 

After church we went and visited her, expecting to be rejected. We found out that recently in her life, she has been searching the church that could really help her problems. Shes had 2 kids die and wants to know where they are. She wants to know HOW to follow Christ, and what are his commandments.  (For those Not familiar with the Missionary lessons, they basically answer exactly all these needs that she has).

I sat there with Elder Smith thinking, "What should we teach?" Everything we have will help her, where do we start?!

We decided, with a strong expression to say this only "Damiana, Javier (Her husband) There are soo many things that we can tell you guys, but We promise you, and we can explain later why, that to be baptized in this church, it will lead you to all these answers"

They acepted to be baptized, and later told us that they felt everything that they heard in the church was directed towards them. (BTW we were all crying during the whole lesson).

So yeah, that was a good experience!

Love you All and hope the greatest week for yall!!

Elder Ryan



Lunch Today, Rawfish meal from Peru (Cerviche) And supporting Jayd and Kal on friday (I promise the pants are blue, but they came out real black in the pic)








 

Week 44 - Happy Mothers Day!!!

May 15, 2017

To all Mothers out there, and especially my own, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Great day to be able to see you yesterday Ma!! I Love you and thanks for everything you do for me!

Its been a CRAZY week here in Suarez. and Not as much crazy stories, as just CRAZY BUSY.

Leading the District has been a challenge, but very rewarding, It's weird to already love the people in my District after 2 weeks. Even though it can be very, very time consuming. But oh well!

The big story this week was Ruben Peña. My family was able to meet him on my video call. Hes an investigator of about 8 months now. 

He hasn't been able to be baptized due to that he was living with a member, and theyweren't  married. But once we were able to get them to commit to marriage almost 4 months ago.

Since then there have been SO many battles! Mainly all coming from their paperwork to get married turning out bad. They almost cancelled the wedding because of it. But they stayed strong!

On Thursday this week they finally got married!!! On Friday President Smith did his baptismal interview. They both came out of it in tears, and President gifted him and his wife a cool Baptismal painting. President told us we were going to have a special day on Friday, because that night he was going to be Baptized (Ruben).
And he was!!

Ivan, his son and our other convert, was able to baptize him, and it was INCREDIBLE! Never in my mission had the spirit been so easily felt! It was my favorite baptism up to this point.

Sunday he was confirmed, and is now an Aaronic Priesthood holder in the Church!!

Even though the mission is hard, and long, and sometimes you´re so sick and tired of rejections that you just want to walk up to some lady in the street, and to say first thing "This is the only way to get to Christ!!" while showing her the Book of Mormon (Which we did this week, we have an appointment tomorrow). When you see the fruits of the Mission, its really great!!

Love you All!!! Thanks for all the support that you give me!!
Love,
Elder Ryan!!



Wedding Pics, Baptism Pics, Selfie on the way to talk to the Fam











 

Week 43 - Phone calls and talking to EVERYONE

May 8, 2017

Hola Everybody!!

Yes in response of some of your comments, the weather has flipped a 180 down here. Its currently raining, and its pretty cold now.
Very, Very busy week.

I quickly learned that being a District Leader basically takes up all free time that you have a night. It's been nothing but talking on the phone till its almost time to sleep. 
But I Love It!! 

My District is so great, and I love being able to help them all in anyway that I can!! It's also been a motivation to Elder Smith and me to try to set the best example we can to everyone in Working hard, obeying the rules, and following the advice and standards that President Smith has given us.

This week has just been work. We are seeing many miracles with the many people that we have been able to find and teach.

This last week we baptized and Confirmed a girl named Candela! Shes a friend of Ruben Peña, an investigator who will get married this Thursday, and baptized and confirmed this weekend.

We are really focusing in on baptizing weekly! Its difficult but possible, no matter where you are!! Me and Elder Smith have been talking to what seems like hundreds of people everyday! Right now we are focusing in on sharing 30 Books of Mormon every week (And to get a return visit with each one), to find at least 10 new investigators every week (Which beforehand I thought was close to impossible), and to invite EVERYONE to be baptized.
After talking to many people (And I mean a lot, Elder Smith has NO fear) we have been able to have 2 weeks of miracles with 34 New Investigatos and 70 Books of Mormon! Also the Lord is blessing our area with lots of people to be able to be baptized every week.

Its a very miraculous part of my mission right now. I wish I could write out all of the successes that we are seeing instead of just numbers, but thanks to so many miracles, it would take a very long time!

Thanks for all your emails, letters, prayers!! I promise I read them all, and that i love hearing from you guys!! 

HUURRAAAHH POR ISRAEL
#MayoMemorable

Les Amo Muchísimo!! 
Elder Ryan


selfie!


Baptism of Candela!


Suarez!




 

Week 42 - Miracles, Obedience, & New Callings

May 1, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYDON!!! I love you so much!! Thanks for the example that you have always set for me!!

So a week of straight work haha
Some fun things, I was the witness at the wedding for Ruben and Lidia Gaona. They are less actives who we have working with since I got here.

Also as hot as it was, this week changed so quick and was freezing cold with rain.... 

Last week President gave of us this promise:
If you all leave at 10 a exactly, saving your studies for the Nap time (The afternoon where everyone is sleeping) and if we share 30 Books of Mormon, that we would see miracles. 

Me and Elder Smith tried so hard this week to do it, and as President said, we would see miracles. We have a goal in the mission to have 10 New Investigators each week, in my whole mission I've gotten it twice, but this whole transfer I've wanted to break it so bad. The Lord blessed us soooo much this week, we were able to find 18 New Investigators!!! 

President promised it, and It happened! Obedience brings about many blessings. This last transfer has been filled with miracles and learning, and I think it was due to how obedient that Elder Smith and I could be, its been awesome!!!

Today is transfers, and I have been asigned as the new District Leader!! Also I'll be staying another transfer with Elder Smith!! 

Love you All!!!! 
Elder Ryan









 

Week 41 - Matias, Jackets, Gifts

April 24, 2017

Another Great week in Buenos Aires.
It's starting to get colder now, and we are learning that Jackets are something that argentine robbers like. 

This week the guy who robbed us a few weeks ago with Cesar stopped me and my comp in the street again. We actually know him pretty well now, his name is Matias. Anyways, he wanted my jacket. About a year ago he robbed the Elders and stole the 2 Jackets they were wearing. I told him no, and he just kept telling me to give it to him. He then told me he would trade 2 that he has, for the one I had (The two that he stole from E Aguilar and E Romero, also good buddies of mine in the mission). I told him if he came to church I'd trade him there. He kept complaining telling me I'm a servant of God and should be willing to give gifts like that. I replied saying, I have a pretty good gift, that's better than any that I can give you (while pointing to the BOM). Anyways, long story short, I was able to use my words to get away from him, and he didn't come to church so I still have my Jacket.

Also Lots of questions about my relation with my comp, Elder Smith. Hahaha we have some fun, we will just leave it at that ;) haha we actually get along really well, and I feel like the best part is that we have been able to accept the advice of the other really easily.

The only spiritual memory from this week that comes to my mind is Leandro and Ellen. We have been working with them forever (Ok like 3 weeks) and we just can´t find their need. They know about all of the commandments they need to follow, they just don´t follow them. So we had a whole lesson trying to help them out, and by the end me and my comp pretty much felt like we were gonna have to leave them, and move on. Anyways, in like the last 30 seconds Leandro said, "Do you want to know why I don't read the BOM?"  we replied, "Sure" (YES PLEASE TELL US!!), he said "I know that if I read it, I will have the knowledge of the truth, yet I still won't be able to keep the commandments, I'm just not able" 
Me and Elder Smith then had the opportunity to testify that he can, in a few short sentences we told him how he is a son of God, and has divine power just for being his son. The last thing we told him, was "You are able" 
We then quickly said a prayer, and we left, and the spirit was very strong in their house. We will see tomorrow if they have decided to accept it.

Also this week me and Elder Smith were in charge of the Baptismal font on the tours of the Church, in a "Open Chapel" activity. It was sooo good, the ward brought so many people and now we have lots of new opportunities this week.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Ryan


1. Argentine Grill
2. Open Chapel Activity
3. We invented a pole long enough to reach our keys that were locked inside :)










 

Week 40 - Presidente Nelson!

April 17, 2017

HOLA TODOS!!
First off, how crazy to hear that Jesse is already home!! Hahaha so crazy and fast!!
Big News of the week! 
1. Laura Got Baptized
2. President Nelson came to the Mission!!
So it was a good week full of work as usual. During the week we were able to talk to Laura, and to make sure she was ready for baptism this weekend. She was able toshare with us an experience that she had had, where that she was affirmed completely that this is the Church of Jesus Christ! She was SOO excited to be baptized, and was officially baptized on Sunday.

Also this Sunday we were able to Confirm Ivan Peña. His parents were also able to set up their wedding this week, and Ivan will be able to Baptize his dad, Ruben, (His mom is already a member) in the beggining of May!!
Sunday, or Easter was incredible! I don`t know why, but the spirit was just strong the whole day!! It was so great!!
Today was AMAZING!! 
We met up as a mission with Mission Buenos Aires West, and we had a Meeting with the Presidency of the Area and President Russel M. Nelson!!!!! It was so cool!! 
While we were waiting, we were all studying. And nobody had seen him yet, but you could just feel that he had entered, when he did. It was so weird. Just at the same moment, every missionary felt something and started looking around, and we all knew that he had arrived!
After he had come in, they arranged so that we could all go and shake his hand. Ive never seen such loving eyes up so close. Even though he shook a lot of hands, you could just see the love in his eyes.
Then, we heard testimonies from all the Presidency 70 of the Area, and their wives. One of them, Mark A. Bragg, had just given a talk in General Conference (Which was one of my favorites, about Light!). 
Finally, after lots of great testimonies, we got to hear from President Nelson!
Wow, the knowledge he has was incredible. He talked of so many things, but he talked a lot about the house of Israel. He told us all of the genealogy, but most importantly, that the Tribe of Judah would prepare the 1st coming of the Lord (As he was born in that tribe) And the Tribe of Joseph would prepare the second. He then mentioned how we had prepared so carefully with musical numbers, security, and many other things to recieve him today. Now imagine how we have to prepare the Earth to recieve our Lord!! We in the Tribe of Joseph have been foreordained to prepare the way so that the Lord can complete the Abrahamic Covenant! 
It was cool to see, and hear him explain how we are the Elect to prepare the earth, and like it says in Abraham 3, we were ordained to do it.
It was kind of a deep talk.
Anyways I am kind of scrambling for time today because this took basically all our Pday, but no better way Spent!!
I Love You ALL!!!!!!
Love Elder Ryan
Night view from the roof of my Pension
Baptism of Laura
Saying goodbye to Aguilar







Panoramic view of conference. You can see Jordan on the left

Wedding pics with his matching tie:


















Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Week 39 - Bautismo de Ivan!

April 10, 2017

So it was just aweek of the Lord working for us in Jose Leon Suarez 2.
This week we had about a total of 2 days of work. Heres what else we did:
Tuesday we had a meeting with President till 9. Wednesday, We worked:) Thursday, we had to go with the Zone Leaders to work in their area. Friday we had to move pensions (terrible btw) and then afterwards we had to go visit the mission offices (And no one was there when we finally arrived). And Saturday we had a weird division with one of our Zone Leaders and we worked half the time in our area and the other half in his. Straight Up Wierd week.
Here`s why I say the Lord is working here with us:
With ALL of these time takers we had, We had 9 new investgators, and a Baptism! Its a miracle in itself!
Ivan Peña is who got baptized. He is the son of Ruben Peña, an Investigator who is about to get married to be baptized. When I got here he was into a ton of drugs and many other worldly things and never stayed long enough to listen to us. Then 2 weeks ago, without invitation, he came to church. and was baptized is two weeks. He dropped everything and changed in just 2 weeks! Its quite a miracle.
Later we also found a family of 5, Family Herbas, who have been before and liked the church, has an uncle who is a 70, and were so nice to us. We gave a blessing to their house and their was such a powerful spirit there! Ill update y´all later on how their doing.
I Love You All!! Ojala que sepan eso!! Estoy tan agredecido por poder conocerles y tener de su apoyo! Les Amo!!

Elder Ryan



Views from the new pension


Ivan's Baptism 





I found a nice suit in our old pension!



Moving process


Baptism of Ivan!



Morning Basketball!