Transfer 1 Week 5

Hi everyone! So much happened this week, so lets just jump right in, I'll do it the same as last week because that was super easy to write, okay, here we go!

First Heartbreak is Always the Worst: So you know that amazing experience last week with me inviting baptism on the Square? Well, he dropped us... yep, HE dropped US! I was actually heart broken, it's the first time it has happened and he was so prepared and so willing to learn and he said himself that we (through the gospel and the spirit of course) changed his life! But his parents are not open to him learning anything religious, which is such a shame. But we do know however that he will come around one day and one ay when there is nothing stopping him, the Gospel will shine brightly in his heart and he will some to know that the gospel is true. Bit of a roller coaster, but these things happen, this is missionary work and the adversary doesn't like us too much and will do all he can to discourage us, but it doesn't work! He will not stop the work from pressing onward!

Alma 26:27:  This has really been the scripture of the week, because even though this is a bit of a down with being dropped, the Lord has grant unto us success and that brings me too my next point

I Love Mormon.org Chat: This week we met this amazing lady who had already read the Book of Mormon and even the Doctrine and Covenants and is even moving into the Pearl of great Price, she came on chat because she didn't know where to go from there and she hadn't met with missionaries yet, we talked with her and got the address for her local chapel and invited her and her children to go, she was scared because we was afraid they wouldn't accept her because she isn't a member or something but we reassured her that they would welcome her with open arms and they would love to have her come to church. yesterday we text her asking how church was and she went to church! (which is a miracle itself because that's the hardest thing to get people to do) and she loved it! and her kids loved it! she said she will be more prepared next week for her kids during sacrament which means she is going to go again! This truly made our day! We are calling her tomorrow and we are so excited and she is meeting with local missionaries Thursday.

Music and The Spoken Word: I went to my first Music and The Spoken Word yesterday (we get to go once a transfer) and it was incredible! we sat right up near the choir and it was the best day to come because for 27 of the members of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior it was their last performance, they were retiring and because of this we have a special guest... PRESIDENT THOMAS S MONSON! Where Sister Magidson and I were sitting we could see him perfectly and he just radiates the fact he is a called prophet of God, he is truly such an incredible man and it was amazing to see him sitting there. I actually just started crying because I couldn't believe it was real! (later on during the day we were in the tabernacle and went and sat on the seat he was sitting on, fan girl much? But seriously it was the coolest thing ever!!!! I sat where the Prophet sat, hehehe)

Explore Day Part 2: Had an awesome exoplore day part 2. I will send photos, we went to the Church History Mueseum and we had so much fun there, especially in the kids section, haha. Welfare Square and tried orange (basically American) cheese for the first time! And also went down into the awesome secret tunnels only Authorized Personal can go in, in other words, Prophet, the Twelve Apostles, General Authorities, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Church Office workers, Cleaners, Missionaries, etc. and explored them, trying not to get lost, we found the Mormon Tab Choir entrance and then went right up the back the assembly hall near the organ in there from underground, found some awesome stuff! It was a all round great day!

This week I really gained a testimony of what impact we have on people, even if we don't directly see it. As Temple Square Missionaries we don't always see the fruits of our labor, as missionaries at all we sometimes don't see the end result of our lesson or our teaching someone. We took a tour and they seemed open and willing to learn, but when it came to the invitation to learn more and get their details, they politely declined, they said we did a brilliant job and they really enjoyed having their eyes opened but however not interested in anymore. We took it on, it was okay, these things happen and we know they felt the spirit and they will come around one day. We talked a lot about Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, The Restoration and the Book of Mormon. We invited them to go to the Beehive House if they wanted to see more. We were later told by another Sister that they went to the Beehive House and remembered us! Even by name! And talked about Jesus Christ a lot more and even though the Sister only briefly showed a Book of Mormon, they requested a copy to read for themselves. It was truly incredible. It was such a testimony builder that sometimes we don't see the fruits of our labors, but they are there! But at the same time, we don't need to see it to progress, because we planted a seed in their heart and even though this is the time for harvest (D&C 4:4) We can still plant those seeds along the way.

This week I have been reading a lot about the Restoration of the gospel in the Book of Mormon, it is so incredible! And it brings the thought to mind "How can people say the Book of Mormon isn't true? How is that even possible?!" Because it's right in front of us in black and white the evidence in right in front of our face, it is all around us that the Book of Mormon is true! It is the word of God. It talks about things that are truly happening in this day about the Restoration, about the word being spread, about the Bible and the Book of Mormon working together hand in hand... I can't encourage everyone enough to read the Book of Mormon, to pray to know it is true, not if it is true, but that is it true. Because it is, there is no if. You only have to come to know for yourself, that's the only way you can truly know! and I know as you follow the promise that has been given in Moroni 10:3-5 that you will come to know through the Holy Ghost it is true. But you must listen to the answer, because if we are too busy going about doing everything else, we can often miss the quiet gentle answer the spirit will give us. It will not attack us or push us over, it will not be neon signs and lightning, the Spirit does't work that way. BUT! it will tell you the truth of all things. I know it because I have done this many times in my life to keep my testimony continually strong. You can never pray enough to know that the Book of Mormon is true, never.

The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, Joseph Smith truly did translate the gold plates with the power of God into what we have the Book of Mormon to be today. It is not of man! "Which is more likely? That he dreamed it all up on his own or that he had the help of heaven? Do the scriptures he produced sound like the words of a man or the words of God?" - Lawrence E. Cobridge (April Cen Conf 2014). It is God word and he has provided away for us to return to Him. To be with Him again. He loves us so much and he wants every single one of us to come back to Him! He again reached out in love to his children and called a prophet of God, who with the power and help of God, restored Christ original church on the earth today. I know it, I know it with all that I have. And you can know it to, I promise. You must seek to know, have faith that God will answer your prayers, nothing happens until we show that faith (Ether 12), until we are willing to submit, to be humble and turn to Him, knowing we cannot do this alone! We can not do this without the help of our loving Heavenly Father and of out brother, savior and redeemer Jesus Christ.

I love you all, Thank you so much for everything you do and the support you give me. I really appreciate it and it is my prayer that the Lord continues to bless your lives and that you may see the beautiful tender mercies he has given you. We often take them for granted, but step back and see all that he has given and you will feel just a measure of the love he has for you.

Thankyou again.

Love, Sister Ryan. xoxo

P.S sorry if this doesn't make sense, I just type...
© 2014 Microsoft Terms Privacy & cookies Developers English (United States)

My roomies!!! Sister Chayama (Japan)
Sister Heuea (Tahiti) Sister Mgidson and Me!

Sister Fiso (the only other Aussie here) and I
 with ANZAC biscuits that mum sent, Lest We Forget. 

P-day Happiness from last week

Church History Museum: Me and Angel Moroni 

Church History Museum: Me and someone praying together, aww cute. 

Fun in the tunnels of Temple Square 

Fun in the tunnels of Temple Square 

Music and The Spoken Word 

Music and The Spoken Word 

we got these super cute action figures from this lady
 at Music and the Spoken Word! They match our companionship! 

The best Picture we Got of Thomas S Monson
at Music and the Spoken word,
times like these I wish I had my DSLR. 

Transfer 1 Week 4‏

Hello!

This week was CRAZY! So much happened, so again just some of the highlights of this amazing and incredible week, it's crazy, just feels like yesterday it was P-day, haha

- Explore Day: I got to go to some of the highlights of the Salt Lake area, went to the Relief Society Building, Church Office Building, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the gardens at the top of the Conference Center, the City Creek Food Court, Deseret Book, you know, all those right? Well, I had some crazy awesome experiences, I finally have a picture of me an the temple!!! Wooh! And it was awesome exploring and having a arch Big Mac meal in America, (seriously never again, blegh!), you know casually seeing Jefferey R. Holland I the Church office Building, that's a lie, it wasn't casual at all, I totally freaked out! I ACTUALLY SAW JEFFERY R HOLLAND! We walked past him and he looked at us! He recognized my existence! Yep, I just went there! We aren't allowed to talk to General Authorities or the Twelve unless they come and talk to us, so we didn't talk but I SAW HIM! So basically this is how it happened "Sister Ryan, don't freak out but there is Jeffery R Holland" I look up and there he is and I was so nervous I gave him the most awkward smile in the history of the world!!! Yep, pretty much. All day Sister Magidson and I were freaking out about it! it was like "We saw Jefferey R. Holland today" at the most random times! It was pretty funny. But yeah, it actually happened.

- Youtube Fame at the Christus: We walked up to the Christus because that is where we had planned to go, and as we are walking up we see Shay Carl and his family! Yep, we totally acted casual and talked to other people but when they were gone we went up to them and was all like "Hi, how are you?" and then we started chatting and Sister Magidson was like "We're not gonna lie, we know who you are and we are fans" and they were like "No way!" and so we talked about heaps of stuff, about the Christus and why they came to Temple Square, shared a spiritual experience, about how he was in Sydney recently, and all that jazz, and we shook hands and they were all like "Hey we will send everyone on YouTube to Temple Square to see Sister Ryan and Sister Magidson!" it was pretty epic! Don't know if it will actually happen, but don't even mind, he said my name and he knows who I am, pretty awesome stuff! So look out for their new video at Temple Square because I was there when they filmed the part at the Christus if they put it in!

Now that I've talked about the famous people, lets get into missionary work!

- First Time for Everything: We were at Eternal Families Desk and we met these two young men, talked to them quickly and then they had to go and it was super busy! We finished there and we were at Scriptures and Revelation and we saw them again! Started talking to them again and Jeremy (the non member) had some questions that Jordan (member) had a hard time answering, so we sat down and talked, we answered his questions and talked about agency and the Book of Mormon, the Restoration and it was a really spirit filled lesson. We were reading the Introduction to the Book of Mormon and I bore testimony, I was bold and straight to the point and then I got a prompting from the spirit "invite him to be baptized" I was thinking "I can't do that, I've never done it before, this is a real person, what if I mess it up, this is eternal life we are talking about here!" and then again "Invite him to be baptized!". We read Moroni 10:3-5 and we talked about how it was given to HIM! because Heavenly Father knows him and loves him so much "that ye shall recieve these things!" For Jeremy on Saturday at the North Visiting Center, the time that HE received these things, he was talked about in the Book of Mormon, it is for him as it is for us all individually. I bore testimony again and said "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized when you know these things are true?" and he said.... YES!!! I extended my first baptism invite and he said YES! We have a return appointment and I'm so excited to talk more with him about the happiest message in the world which is this restored gospel! To help him come unto Christ by receiving this restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

- Answering the Phone: When in a new place, I hate answering the phone, it's hard here because I don't wanna mess up! So, I made a goal this week to be courageous and trust in the Lord (as I should have done to start with) to pick up the phone when someone calls, knowing that as I listened he would give me the things I needed to say. This week I did that! And I answered the phone for the first time, I was by myself, my companion didn't click on to hear what was going on, it was just me, the person and the Lord. Just my luck, it was someone who, lets put it this way, didn't like the church too much. Had some questions, didn't like my doctrinal answers that I was inspired to give. It was interesting but I acted on promptings and that was what was important, I was polite and suggested mormon.org and lds.org and said "Have a nice day". It was the best thing for me I think, I'm not scared to make or get phone calls now, because from that one experience, I know the lord is by my side, I can't do this without him and if I did, I'm not doing it right. I know he is there and that he is the 3rd member of my companionship, that as I listen with my ears and heart, it will be given to me what I need to say.

They are like the 4 massive things this week, I had my first exchange with my district leader and that was super awesome, there was lots of new things to learn and different ways to do things, we have been finding new investigators, we even found 2 on chat last night! and one of them we are sending a Book of Mormon too and continuing to teach! We are really excited to help them all, teach them all and tell them the things the Lord needs them to know. The hardest thing is when they don't pick up the phone, but there is a reason! I'm sure of it!

I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work, is work. If a missionary works she will get the spirit; if she gets the spirit, she will teach by the spirit, if she teaches by the spirit, she will touch the hearts of the people and she will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families (or friends), for all time and talents and interest are focused on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work - there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work!" I have seen this quote work in my missionary work, I have memorized it and continue to quote it in my head throughout my day, sorry family and friends, I'm not worried about you, because I know the Lord is looking after you and giving you miracles and tender mercies in your life. This work is so important! and so I will work with all I have, knowing the blessings that come from that, not for me, but for those I serve.

I have learnt so much and I continue to learn and to grow, my testimony is strengthened everyday of this beautiful gospel, which is Christ's gospel on the earth again today. If I could reach to the highest point of the world and declare the gospel to the whole world I would! Just as well the Lord has sent me to Temple Square, I may not be teaching the whole world! But one by one, just like Jesus Christ did, teaching people from all over the world. What a beautiful blessing it is, to be a part of the greatest missionary force in the history of the world, to be one of the thousands of missionaries sharing the truth of the Gospel. To be on Temple Square and talk to people all over the world (it's also the only mission in the world I get "Hi Sister" ever 5 minutes at Walmart), I love inviting everyone to come unto Christ, it is such a blessing to do so. I love my mission, I love being a missionary, I know that this gospel is true with every fiber of my being, no matter what any one says! I know my testimony comes from a loving Heavenly Father and He cannot lie! (Enos 1:6).
The message and teachings we have are the most glorious in the world, no matter who we are, missionary or not, we need to share them! I invite you to share what you believe, bare testimony to a friend, share a photo on facebook, post something on instagram, send someone to mormon.org so we can chat with them, something! But share the gospel with the world, testify of what you know to be true, defend the truth of the gospel. I love Jeffery R. Hollands talk about defending our faith from General Conference, read/watch it, it's incredible.
If you do not have a testimony, i invite you to work on it, I know that this gospel is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet and to restore Jesus Christ gospel so we can have it on the earth in these last days! Pray to know Heavenly Father is there and as you do, having faith you will receive an answer, he will circle you with His arms of love and you will not be able to deny at all, that He is there and that He loves you so much. YOU are a child of the most glorious being in the universe! As you come to know of his love it will lead to greater things, read the Book of Mormon, pray to know Joseph Smith was called as a prophet of God, pray to know the Book of Mormon is his word, but you must BELIEVE and have FAITH that you will receive an answer, I know you can, I have seen peoples lives change in a matter of minutes, I have seen miracles every day being here. I have no doubt that you will know for yourself, that these things are true.

I love you all so much, Thankyou for all the support and love you give me.
Love Sister Ryan xx

22 April 2014

A BIG read

CTR in different languages

CTR

Doctrine and Covenants 133:37

                                                                                    

Selfie with Temple

Selfie with Temple

Study time

                                                                                     

Transfer 1 Week 3‏

WEEK 3 ALREADY WHAT?!
I even hit my month mark of being on the mission on Wednesday, I don't even know where the time went.

Hey Everyone!
Yep, it's week 3 already, I don't even know where the time went, but so much happened in the last week! so I will commence and tell you a few of my highlights and such.

- I got my first solid investigator on the Square! His name is Bruce and we met him in the North Visiting Center, we started chatting to him and we taught him the Restoration on spot, it was incredible before we could even invite him to do anything he asked us to pray with HIM! and he asked US for a Book of Mormon!!! He was so receptive to everything we had to say and so willing to learn, his faith in God and Jesus Christ is incredible and he is just so prepared, he is reading the Book of Mormon daily and he has told us that it has made him happier and that he has more of a smile on his face now, that days are easier as he reads the Book of Mormon, he is incredible! He told us that when he went to the Christus he had this overwhelming feeling and he freaked out because he had no idea what it was and he thought he was getting sick or something because it consumed him but he continued to say it wasn't a bad feeling, it was good, but I was scared because I had no idea what it was. We bore testimony to him that what he felt was the spirit and that the spirit testifies of truth and that the feeling he had was God telling him he was in the right place and he was doing the right thing, he explained he had the same feeling as he talked with us and it was incredible! ARGH, can't even put it in words, just amazing.

- I took some Aussies on a tour! It was so awesome, at first it was really hard to bring in doctrine and we were thinking "oh no, this is just turning into a history tour" but then we got to the Assembly Hall and started teaching the Restoration and it went really well, they were really open and in the end wanted to find out even more and so we gave them mormon.org cards with lds.org on the back and one of them even wanted to read the Book of Mormon, another wants to listen to the audio of it! It was awesome, I love teaching by the spirit, it's the only way to teach, any other way and it is not of God (D&C 50:13-22).

- I saw Lauren McKenzie on her way to the MTC, she came and found me! It was the most incredible thing ever! It was so good to see her, I hadn't seen her since NYE YSA convention. I didn't even know she was coming to Salt Lake early! It was the best surprise ever! She is so beautiful and the light of Christ just shines through her, Kobe, Japan, get ready for some amazing missionary coming your way!

- Temple Square sacrament meetings are the best, we have them in the chapel in the Jospeh Smith Memorial building and I don't care what you say, it is the most beautiful chapel I've ever been into or ever seen and probably will ever see!

- I was part of a proposal!!!! I know right, like what?! I mean of course, I'm on Temple Square but it was crazy, the guy asked me to take a picture of him and his girlfriend and of course I said yes (because we are basically photographers on Temple Square too) and then we get in position for a nice angle and then BAM! He is on one knee and she like like "What! I knew you where going to do this! NO! Are you serious!" (Stuff like that) it was pretty funny, and in the mean time I'm just being photo happy and taking photos like there is no tomorrow and it was crazy, next thing girlfriend went to fiance. They were so super cute and they looked so happy! Put me in a good mood for the rest of the day, I love seeing that stuff, just makes my testimony grow on forever families and such. Seeing weddings all the time is pretty awesome, I try not to get too crazy in looking at all the dresses but it's hard you know! They are all so beautiful! (the Brides too of course) This past Saturday there were about 60 weddings apparently, just mental I tell you!

- Met someone from the UK on chat and we called her and we made this awesome instant connection, we were like freaking out over each others accents and Sister Magidson is just laughing at both of us, it was pretty awesome. She is fantastic and her family means so much to her, I'm really excited to call her again and teach her more, especially about eternal families, she is wonderful!

- I saw Linda K Burton yesterday, yep, that's right the General Relief Society President, and she and her husband said hi and was waving to Sister Magidson and I, and it was super cool! Just fan-girling over general authorities, you know how it is, haha.

My testimony just increases every day here, it is incredible, my morning studies are so full of the spirit and I'm reading the Book of Mormon again and it's crazy how much more I'm learning and noticing while reading this time round!  My testimony of scheduling and planning with the spirit has increased! When we stick to our plan (that we set by the spirit the night before) we meet truly remarkable people, and have remarkable experiences. I love planning, I know it sounds nerdy, but it's so great! We plan our hours of 3 places we want to go and an inspired question or scripture we want to share and it's crazy what happens when we stick to it, we are not perfect, but we are working on it. 2 examples

1. Danielle, she is a member who is coming back from being less-active and she had been thinking "I have all these questions, but I don't want to waste the Sisters time" and we feel inspired to go up and talk to her, (in the place we had planned to go during this hour) we have a spirit filled and inspired convocation full of the exact things she needs to hear, we help her in things we didn't even know that was wrong, encourage and uplift her, help her feel the spirit, help her feel the love of her Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ, and invited her to read a few scriptures (Nephi 4) that would help her in her particular situation and ask her to apply the things they (Nephi) applied when in a situation similar. It was exactly what she needed at that exact moment.

2. Anja, she is recent convert wanting to serve a mission and we had planned to use the scripture Ether 12:27 during this hour and she shares with us that Ether 12:27 is the scripture that has been keeping her strong when hard times come, it was just mind blowing and even crazier, I had read D&C 10:5 in my studies that morning, it didn't even have anything to do with what I was studying but she started talking about praying for strength and guidance to help her over come he adversary etc. WHAT! Yep, this actually happened.

Everything works perfectly and Heavenly Father knows exactly where he needs us at the exact right time for the exact right person. He has everything planned to the finest of details, like a beautiful and intricate woven blanket that He works thread by thread with every detail possible. He is all knowing and all powerful and He knows who needs who to come unto Christ. Member or Non-Member.

I love this gospel so much, I can't even begin to express the happiness I feel being here serving the Lord with all I have. My testimony constantly grows of this beautiful gospel and I am so grateful for everything that makes it what is it today, I'm so grateful for a young man, Joseph Smith and everything he sacrificed so that we can have the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today, to have Christ's restored gospel today. For the Book of Mormon and the fullness it contains. My appreciation for every single pioneer, for every single prophet and apostle intensifies as I look at the marvels of Temple Square and how dedicated they were to making this holy land, for every brush stroke and every piece of carved wood, every piece of granite in the Salt Lake Temple, there is so much  more to the temple than I ever noticed before and my greatest wish is for all to come and touch the walls of the temple, look at the detail and love that has been put into the House of the Lord.  It it's self is a representation of the love the Lord has for us. I love knowing I am here every day, to walk on this holy ground and I have never seen so many beehives in my entire life! (that is another story), I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I'm so grateful for the beautiful atonement made so that we, if we come unto Christ can live with our loving Heavenly Father again. I love my companion, we laugh every day, we love each other and are so united in all we do, we support and uplift one another, even if she did give me a cold, haha. But seriously she is such a massive blessing to me and I feel so blessed and lucky to have Sister Magidson as my trainer, when people told me I had the best trainer I had no idea how right they were. The Lord is all knowing and knew we would be perfect for one another, to work together in bringing his children back with Christ by our side. I know this is Christ restored gospel on the earth today, we are scattered throughout the world and are armed with righteousness! (1 Nephi 14:14) Never give up on what you know to be true, and if you don't know it to be true, I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon with that question in heart and pray to know with all you have that it is true. I testify to you that it is and that you will receive an answer through the Holy Ghost, with peace, love and joy in your heart that it is true. And even if you already have a testimony continue to strengthen it and continue to read, continue to pray and you will feel the blessings beyond measure in your life. I know I have certainly seen them in mine.

I love you all and appreciate every inch of support I receive, Thankyou for the wonderful blessing you are in my life.

I love you all, Love Sister Ryan xx
© 2014 Microsoft Terms Privacy & cookies Developers English (United States)

photos 15 April 2014

Hello Temple Square!‏

Okay, so before I start. I wan't so say I love A LOT to write, because I didn't get a p-day last week because coming to the mission field and everything, so this is like a week and a half of stuff happening.

Okay, so some pretty amazing stuff has happened.
First of all, David Archuletta, came to my last Sunday night Devotional at the MTC.
I'm not even kidding, David Archuletta, the real deal! He sung and I got a picture of him (I with is was with him) and we sung and it was incredible! He only just got back from his mission in Chile and came to the MTC. it was INCREDIBLE!!! I fan-girled like crazy, not going to lie. Sister Kruse was like "what?" and Sister Anderson, Sister Worthen and I were like dying in our seats as he was singing "Be Still My Soul".

Wednesday morning, my last morning in the MTC it was snowing!!! Like WHAT?! I know right, and at 6:30am, we (8 of us) were finally on our way to Temple Square, for real!!!!
We get here and drop our bags off at the apartments and then head down to the mission office, we had breakfast, met President and Sister Poulsen and did some information stuff, I got my flag!!, had interviews, all that jazz. We had lunch and then some sisters got their companions, I didn't.. Haha. My companion was coming from outbound and so I wouldn't be meeting her for quiet some time.But I knew as much as her name was Sister Magidson and she was the most amazing person every apparently, everyone was saying how amazing she is and I'm thinking man I haven't met her yet! And everyone was so excited for me and I'm thinking "I have no idea what is going on!" So I was put with my Zone Leaders for now, and then we went to the airport to pick up some sisters, and then we came back and I was put with some other sisters from my Zone to go out on the square and teach and take tours and then another companionship of sisters when we went to Walmart to go shopping and I stayed with them until 9:30pm when my companion finally came. We were waiting in the lobby and someone came out and said "she is here" I instantly got up and went out to the carpark and she got out of the car and she said "who is my companion?!" and then I went up to her and said Hi and we had an epic hug!  I finally have my companion!!!! YAY! hahaha. We got her stuff and we talked about heaps of stuff as we were getting settled and getting ready for the night. She is as amazing as everyone says she is!!! I love her so much, she is incredible. I've created a list of things she says all the time, its hilarious, our second night together she was like "You remind me of Hilary Duff, I'm companions with Hilary Duff!!" hahahaha, We get along so well, we are perfectly suited for one another, I'm so lucky and so blessed to have her as my trainer. She has taught me so much and she has so much more to give! She has just got back from serving in the California Bakersfield Mission. Everyone things we make an awesome cute companionship, we are both pretty awesome, just saying.

So as most of you would know, the one thing I was freaking out about coming to Temple Square was knowing that conference was just around the corner, the weekend I would get into the field. As time went on I was getting more excited don't get me wrong, but at the same time, freaking out. The morning of general conference came! We wake up get ready and have breakfast and we hit the square, it is BUSY and you know what. BEST DAY EVER! don't even know why I was so scared, I just had to be myself and follow the spirit and that's what I did. We met some amazing people and had some incredible experiences! we prayed with people, talked with RMs, got hugs from mothers with sons on missions, I met a lot of people from Japan or people who served in Japan, met a lot of Aussies!!! Which was awesome and saw, heard and felt so much. I can't actually put it all into words. It was just incredible. On the Saturday we covered at the Beehive House and took tours there and it was awesome, one thing I have gained a massive appreciation for is applying doctrine to history, which sometimes can be harder than it seems. But serving in the beehive house it was awesome to put history and doctrine together, to create and environment where the spirit can teach. Obviously it was my first time there and we are not allowed to say how long we have been out because of security measures so we say "over" or "under a year" and this one lady was asking me all these questions and I just said "today is my first time in the Beehive house, everything I know, I learnt today" and she asked me how long I had been out and I said "under a year" on the inside laughing so hard thinking "I've been out for a few days..." Hahaha. We didn't get much time for meals because we were needed on the square, it got crazy busy at times!!! But it was amazing. The first night though we had protesters out before Priesthood and President was so concerned he got every single sister off the square and we all had dinner at the same time until  it was sorted out, it was crazy, nothing bad happened, he just didn't want to risk anyone taking footage of us saying anything and stuff, so it's all good.

Sunday I got to go to my first ever live session of General Conference, we went to the Sunday Afternoon session, it was incredible. The spirit there was amazing!!! I saw Thomas S. Monson and this councilors and the 12 in the flesh, I wasn't too close to them, but I saw them! And wow, I can't even put in words how that makes me feel. When the prophet walks in everyone stands up and goes instantly quiet, it's incredible. I feel so blessed to have had this experience. I feel so blessed to be here in general!!! The speakers were amazing and I really enjoyed Elder Walker's and Elder Perry's talks. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the talks and read them. I heard bits and pieces when it was being played but your so focused on talking to those you are talking to, to focus on what is being said. To be honest, I didn't get many photos from this weekend, because we were so busy and we are not supposed to take photos at particular times because we don't want to look like tourist and I forgot my adapter to load them up anyway, but I will email some when I can, I think Sister Magidson will email me some so I can send them to you. I also have some from my last few days in the MTC. Man that feels like forever ago and it was only last week!

I love it here so much, I really do, it is incredible to be walking to the Square in the morning and see the Temple every day, to walk here and see the Christus, to talk to people from all over the world! This is truly the most international and most incredible mission in the world. And I feel SO blessed to be called of God to serve here, This is where he needs me, I know that. The Sisters here are incredible and have welcomed me with open arms (especially my other Aussie Sister and my Japanese Sisters, thankyou Jayme) I haven't even read this over, so I apologize for the probably millions of mistakes made in this email. There is an awesome security guard here to from Victoria!!! We get along so well, its awesome hearing his accent, he hasnt lost a bit of it, you can tell and he says words I don't hear around hear, which is awesome. I can't think of any right now but when we says them it's like "YES!" hahaha. I call him a legend or a champion and he loves it, hahaha.

I met a lot of Aussies the last couple of days, it was AWESOME it was so funny though because the first family I ran into, afterwards I asked Sister Magidson "Do I actually sound like that?" and she laughed and told me "yeah, you do." hahaha. I miss it so much, every time I heard it this weekend it was awesome. I got "I love you accent" a million times this weekend! I even had this one girl full on freak out at me like a was a celebrity or something when she heard me speak, it was pretty funny. I have never had someone freak out so much about me before.

Last night we had what is called a Hi5 meeting, where we relax and have a little celebration that we made it through conference, we had ice cream and were told that we have recovery days! so today I got to sleep in until 8:30am, and it was the most incredible thing, hahaha. Kenneth Cope came and sung for us! it was awesome! He even sung his song "More" and I almost died, because that was one of my favourites before coming out on my mission. He had some wonderful things to say about us being children of God and it was just incredible. My testimony of my Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ was increased so much last night from the words he said. You are a child of God, he loves you and knows you, he knows you individually and he knew you before this life, He knows you better than you know your self, he knows what you can become and he loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus Christ to bear it all. Do you ever think, did we see him save us? Did we pray for him that he would be able to pull through and complete it so that we could live with Heavenly father again? Did we cheer him on, encourage him through his suffering, through his anguish, through everything he went through! for US! Because he wants to be with us again with Heavenly Father, he did not have to do it! He could have given up, but he didn't why? Because his love and determination is more than anything you could ever imagine and Jesus Christ has not finished yet, he is still so determined to bring every single on of his children back to our Heavenly Father, he will not give up! He will gather every single person that will come to Him. And we as missionaries are here to help him in this work, he is the 3rd member of my companionship, he is by my side and walks beside me, he will not give up and he with do EVERYTHING he can to bring every single one of us back that will come... I really hope you read this with the power that is intended, because I mean it all. And I know it to be true. You are loved and he knows you, one by one. You are never alone, turn to Him in all you do, in your sadness, in your joy, in your triumph, in the moments you feel you can not go on, in the moments you want to sing, in the moments you want to cry, Go to Him! His arms are out stretched for you to run into. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I feel like I have failed so mention somethings, but I think I have typed enough for you to read and if you get to this point, you're a champion! There were lots of experiences and stuff that I had that will just take way too long to get into, but I met a lot of Japanese people and they thought I was the most amazing thing ever because I would introduce myself in Japanese and it made them so happy! Especially this one lady who is originally from Ishigaki! Yep, the exact one where Elder Wheeler is serving right now! She told me my pronunciation was great and to keep it up, because I spoke what I could fantastically! (not her actual words obviously but close enough).
I love you all, and I'm so grateful for all the support and love you have shown me, Thank you for everything.

Love, Sister Ryan
Finally in Temple Square with a Tag/Flag and everything.

photos

LAST PDAY IN THE MTC!‏

Hey everyone!

Where did the time go?! It's my last day Pday in the MTC! 

Sometimes being here, it feels like this is your mission, just in the MTC, being in class, teaching golden investigators and having every minute of your time scheduled for you. but nope! On Wednesday I'll be in Temple Square for real! And I couldn't be more excited! it's sad because we have to say goodbye to everyone again, but so so so exciting at the same time. 

This week has been an awesome one, but sad and emotional too. We said goodbye to the Elders in our district on Monday, which was so sad! we love them all, the are like little brothers now, (because they are 18). They are now in Tennessee serving the Lord, and trying not to get too much of a southern accent, haha.  

We had to stop teaching everyone we were teaching, again so sad! It was so hard saying goodbye to Melissa, Chae, Lance and Arnold, We love them so much, but we exchanged details and I look forward to hearing from them and keeping in touch.

OH! I got my package from home on Monday!!! Seriously made my week! Everyone loved the TimTams and people think I'm crazy with the Vegemite and I'm seriously loving eating shapes and chicos and frogs alive, Mum, You are just too amazing! I didn't realize how much I'd miss Australian food! Thankyou so much!!! <3

Wednesday we started Visiting Center Training (because weeks start on Wednesdays here) and we went to Temple Square!!! It was only for a couple of hours, and I didn't get to actually near the temple, but we went to the visiting center, and we had a tour and then had some role plays testifying of something around, so it was pretty awesome. We saw the Christis and it was incredible! I couldn't believe I was actually there and seeing everything with my own eyes and not in pictures! Seeing the temple for real was incredible, unfortunately it was a terrible rainy day, but still, the pictures don't do the temple justice, it is beautiful! I can't wait to get closer. We then had a meeting with the Visiting Center Director (he looks after all the visiting centers throughout the world) and we talked about how amazing our calls are and how special it is to be called as a visiting center sister. One thing I loved about the meeting was when he said. "You are called to do nothing less than change the world!". I've always known this is where I'm meant to be (Temple Square) and after being there for a couple of hours, I really have gained a greater testimony and appreciation of my call. The spirit is so strong there and I can't wait to actually be there for real! I can already tell I won't wanna come home, haha. 

 After that we came back to the MTC and most of us Sisters fell asleep on the way back, seriously that nap was incredible! Any wink of sleep we get here is appreciated, haha. Visiting Center Training is seriously the best! I love it so much! Our teachers are amazing and everything is adapted for how we would do it being a visiting center sister. I learnt so much just in my first day of VC. I've really gained a greater understanding on how I need to be me! I need to be the real me, not someone else, I was called to Temple Square because Heavenly Father knows who I am, why should I change?

in VC we also have a thing called "referral center" (or teaching center) and it's so awesome. WE ARE THE MORMON.ORG PEOPLE! Yeah, that's right! When you go on chat on Mormon.org, That's us Visiting Center Sisters! I love it! It's probably my favourite part of the day, while chatting online, we get to use our first names! And we also get to listen to music and watch Mormon messages while waiting for people to come on or waiting for people to reply, it's seriously so awesome! I love it! Sometimes it gets scary people people get nasty and inappropriate but it is great and it awesome to help people in need, and what I extra love about it, is that the investigators we have on chat in the MTC, we can take with us to the mission field. How awesome is that!!!

Last night I got really sick, Sister Kruse was like "you need to rest and go back to residence" and I was like "no I'll be fine" and as time got on I was getting worse and worse and so teacher came and we decided to go... On our way back we saw 2 of our previous investigators (Chae & Melissa) and they were so worried about me! They are so sweet, one of them was like "if you need anything just come to my room, you know where it is and come and get some medicine and I think there is candy in there too!" she's such a sweetie, I said thankyou and they gave me a hug. I love them so much, they are so wonderful! 

I have never slept so soundly here in the MTC, once I got back to bed and fell asleep, I was dead to the world! My companion stayed awake and studied to make sure I was okay, I love her so much! I woke up 2 hours later at 8:30pm, and i felt SO much better! The class was doing TRC (teaching) and so we stayed in residence and studied and did our daily planning. I'm so grateful for my companion, always looking out for me! <3

We get to go to Temple Square again tomorrow! Which is super exciting! it's for longer and it's not a guest experience, we will be actually working as a VC Sister! So incredibly excited! Everyone is! we have sisters from all over the world, Chile, Philippines, Guatemala, Italy, Chile, Brazil, Tahiti, New Zealand, America-Samoa, Australia (me), It's incredible! I love my mission so much!

That's really it for this week! I love you all! Please write to me! Pretty pretty please! (yes I'm begging)

Thankyou to everyone for all you're support!! 

Love, Sister Ryan (almost in Temple Square)

P.S  If anyone wants to send me something, some Typo (a5) Brown Buffalo journals would be awesome! (maybe throw in some TimTams or BBQ shapes while you're at it :P)