Transfer 10 Week 1

Well, this is weird... I'm in my 10th Transfer, I testify that the mission is so fast! It's crazy to think that I'm already at the point where I have less than 6 months left and only 3 transfers after this one. Sister Christensen is keeping me sane and very grounded, training is the best, though there really isn't much training to be done, she's amazing! She is a powerful and incredible missionary and I know that we were put together for so many reasons. The Lord is in the details and these transfers with her couldn't be more perfect! 

Though out teaching pool be small and sickness has gotten in the way of the work (on both sides) we still strive diligently to do all we can to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel, and that's what it's all about. 

This transfer will be a busy one, finishing up training Sister Christensen, being assigned to be District Leader for the second time and also we still have our assignment of Visiting Center Training, which we love so much! It will be crazy, busy, fun, and I will spend a lot of time on my knees, however I know it's going to be incredible! I love the Sisters in my District, they are great hard working missionaries that love the Lord and love this work, they are full of enthusiasm and diligence. Really everything in the mission prepares us for something and this is just another one of those things I will look back on whenever it is and be like "Yep! That's why the Lord needed me in that position at that time." 

This week it snowed on Wednesday ALL DAY! I woke up to a blanket of snow and it was the first time in my life seeing this much snow and seeing it consistant all day! needless to say I took a million photos! It was an incredible day and completely random, there is no more snow on the ground, it's been warm and sunny the past two days and the flowers and slowly recovering from the dust storm then the snow, now we can get into Spring. Heavenly Father obviously just wanted me to see it one time in my mission and it was perfect and completely picturesque. I LOVE THE SNOW! It was an incredible day and I was on cloud 9 the whole time, which brightened up a lot of people who were annoyed a little about it, but it helped them realize that there are people that never see this and how exciting it is, which made them smile to see, for lack of a better word my whole innocence to snow and the feeling of it and everything else. Like a child... Mosiah 3:19 right? just likening the scriptures! Hahaha

I can absolutely say with 100% surety, being centered on our purpose as missionaries changes everything, being a Preach My Gospel missionary changes everything. I love in Chapter 1 of Preach My Gospel it says "When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you.". 

And it is so true, it may not be perfect, our teaching pool may not be large, people may not refer or wish to learn more even when you know they need the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than ever! When it's a family that has been prepared by the Lord to receive these things... whatever it may be. You can still know that you are successful because you love these people, you desire their salvation, because the Spirit was speaking through us, we are obedient, we strive daily to develop Christlike attributes, then Mosiah 28:3 becomes more real than ever before. 

I know that I will never in this life understand the immense results of what I have done on my mission, I will never know the impact of my testimony or a shared experience, never know how many people actually go home and check out mormon.org or read the Book of Mormon or let the missionaries into their homes. But really, I don't have to, because it's not about what I know, because I don't have to know it all, I just have to trust and rely on the one who does, and as I focus on the here and now and as I center everything on my Savior, Jesus Christ. That's where the eternities are beginning to be changed, even when I don't realize it.  

One example, just before conference we met all these returned missionaries that has served in Tennessee the day they got home, they came from the airport to Temple Square (it happens a lot), we met these two Sisters at the Eternal Families desk and they were still just shining and bright, sad, but so happy to be home with their families, excited to carry their name tags in their hearts continuing with the work by being member missionaries. We invited them all to pray about questions to take to conference and then have them in their hearts while they watched General Conference that was coming that weekend. 

Usually we never see or hear about the results of what happens but we were finishing a tour at the Statue of Christ and after we had ended it, one of the Sisters came up to us! She told us of her experience and how it changed her life and gave her so much guidance as to what to do after her mission and how it really just gave her so much comfort, it had been a rough day for Sister Christensen and I and it was a testimony to us of so many things. We got to see the fruits of an invitation that we had extended by the Spirit and because of that her life was changed. I will be forever grateful for her coming up to us and telling us how we played a huge part in all of that and for the kind words and advice she than gave to us. 

"The sorrows will out number the joys, but the joys will always outweigh the sorrows" - Kate

With one of the new exhibits we have on Temple Square right now it's called 8 Stories and it's all about the District 2 missionaries in their Pre-Mission, their Mission and their Post-Mission life. They share stories and experiences and something that they have really learnt from their missions. It got me thinking about what I have learnt and it really comes down to as I have said it a million times in my emails "The Lord is in the details of our lives". I see it come to pass multiple times a day, everything comes back to my Savior and my gratitude for His plan for me and how I can have confidence in that. I don't have to fear, as long as I have faith and I am trusting in the arm of my Savior, I have nothing to stress about because He has it all in His hands and He knows a lot better than I do! Which I am so grateful for! 

I love being able to have this experience where I get to not only help others come unto Christ, but I to get to come closer to him in ways I never have before, I get to use the atonement in ways I never have before and I get to just learn and grow in ways I never could if I hadn't come on a mission. 

Our investigators are slowly but surely coming to know the truths of the gospel for themselves, by reading the Book of Mormon and praying, they are increasing in their faith and developing relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's been really incredible to see the changes they are making and the things they are doing to really have it for themselves. They are all so amazing and I love them all so much, I know they will come to know these truths and that the Lord has a plan for them, just like he has a plan for all of us. Like Elder Brent H. Nielson talked about in his conference address in the Saturday afternoon session, we're all on the same path back to our Heavenly Father and He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ to help us along the way!

I love the gospel and I love being a missionary, I love inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel, I love the Book of Mormon and how I continuously learn and grow from it every time I read it, no matter what it is. I'm excited for the new experiences this transfer will bring and I'm just grateful for every opportunity and experience given to me in the mission. Especially here on Temple Square. 

Love, Sister Ryan xx

Photos

Snow Day

Explore day!... we found a wardrobe... :) 

Explore day!... we found a wardrobe... :) 

snow day

snow day

snow day

snow day

snow day

snow day

loving her mission

Mission Wide Photo

Sister Ryan and Sister Christensen

Sister Ryan and Sister Christensen

Her hair is getting long she will be loving it

She Loves her companion 

Sister Ryan and Sister Christensen

Loving the snow

snow day

Transfer 9 Week 6

This was such a big week I can't even believe that it all happened! This past week was CONFERENCE! The best weekend on the mission for Temple Square Sisters. But it doesn't just start at conference, but the day before!

Friday: We (and 2 other companionship's) were asked to represent Temple Square in assisting service to the General Authorities in setting up their lunch for the big training they had, basically every quorum of the Seventy, Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidency were there and also many of the Quorum of the 12... It was so much fun setting up, I felt like I was outbound again serving the way I used to and it was absolutely amazing! 

When all was set up, they came in and the Spirit they carried with them just hit you like a ton of bricks! We got to shake hands with a lot of the Seventies, Elder D Todd Christofferson came up and talked to us multiple times and shook our hands. We also saw many others of the twelve and when the Relief Society, Yong Women and Primary Presidencies came up to us and gave us all hugs, talking about the Womens conference. Carole M. Stephens came up to me and I thanked her for her talk and told her that I received life changing revelation from it, she hugged me and told me how cute I was and just was so grateful to hear that it made a difference. I also got to see some area seventies from back home as well which just filled my heart with so much joy! 

It was just amazing and I was so grateful for the opportunity to serve in that way, even if it was just seeing if anyone needed more water and then clearing their tables and their uneaten brownies! It was the most amazing way to start my conference weekend, I was on an absolute spiritual high, just couldn't even imagine it! All day it was a case of "what just happened?". Then later that day we met and talked with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Twelve and Elder Don R. Clarke of the Seventy. I know that every single person in that room at that lunch was called of God to be in the position they are serving in, to lift and inspire the people needed. I loved it so much, I am so grateful for the organization of the church and for the knowledge I have of God being the same Yesterday Today and Forever in calling prophets, seers and revelators. 

Saturday: First Day of Conference and it was amazing! We met so many incredible people, converts, life long members, teens, future missionaries, cute couples, return missionaries that just got home, families, less-actives working on coming back, it was just incredible. I know that every single person we met and talked with needed what we had to say and we needed what they had to say, to hear their testimonies and their stories, to hear their love for the gospel and what they have learnt from Conference so far. 

The best encounter that we had was a couple of senior missionaries serving in Ogden area, The Sister was a Jewish Convert to the church and once we found that out, it was the most amazing thing ever! Both Sister Christensen and I love Jewish Culture History, to the point we both want to learn Hebrew and learn more about the cultures and traditions because"Mormons are Jews with Jesus!" We said "Shalom" and "Manishma!" we sung "50,000 Yemenites coming home!... My heart is dancing in Jerusalem!..." which apparently nearly every Jewish person knows and loves (I look forward to the day I can learn the rest of the song, haha). 

She was the sweetest thing in the world, giving us a million and one hugs and kisses, she was so amazing and so sweet! We felt such a connection to her, hearing her story and her love for the Gospel, her excitement to be a missionary and to be here at General Conference. She told  us that she knows we were sent her to help the Jews come closer to knowing their Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in their Messiah, knowing He has come! It was such a huge complement to us, hearing that, especially from a Jewish person. 

I can't put in words how happy I was and how filled with joy my heart was. I know that all the scriptures of the Jews coming to know the truth of these things will happen, it's already happening, as there are already so many amazing Jewish Converts to the church, my trainer being one of them and also my Zone Leader outbound and many more I have had the amazing opportunity to be acquainted with. 

Sunday: We had the opportunity to attend Music and the Spoken word along with the Sunday Morning Session of General Conference! As I had invited people all week to prepare for conference and pray and have questions, I do did that and I received my answers, in ways I didn't expect, not so much like in my last email from the Women's session of Conference, but the answers were there and I knew there was a reason I had to be in that session of Conference and I was so grateful for it. I loved every single one of the talks, they were all incredible and extremely quotable. Every single one of them had an impact on my heart as I listened and listened to the Spirit, I know there were things written in my study journal that were not said, and it's incredible to know that through their revelation as to what to say, we too can receive personal revelation to apply it into our own lives. Just knowing the importance of the Temple, to begin with and love and trust the basics, even the songs we sing in Primary, to just remembering that "life is not confined to a 4 inch screen", remembering to always be in awe of the Gospel and the blessings it brings, knowing that we are all along the same path, no matter who we are, where we have been, we are all on the same path returning to our Heavenly Father and how it is made possible through Jesus Christ, that all we have to do is hold on, just hold on when times get tough and we will be delivered by the one who can do all, also being able to trust in the Saviors grace and understanding what that even means! (aside from studying "His Grace is Sufficient" which is amazing if you haven't heard or read it, check it out).

I can double testify of what Jeffery R Holland said "He still extends unending grace, although He extends it with pierced palms and scarred wrists." I have truly felt of that not only in my life but on my mission. I am so grateful for my Savior who did what he did in the Garden of Gethsemane, Calvary and at the Tomb. I know that He Lives and that he loves us, He wants to help us in every aspect of our lives and wipe away the tears we shed when things get a little tough. I was reminded of my testimony of the Savior as we sung "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" as I really listened to the words and how they applied to me, it hit my heart with such force and I know it, I know it so greatly and I'm so grateful that I get the opportunity to bear testimony of that every day! I love love Jesus Christ, he is my big brother, redeemer and friend. We all are working our ways to coming closer to Him, I may be a missioanary, but that doesn't mean I'm perfect, we all still have things we need to work on and as we take it day by day, the enabling power of His atonement will kick in and help us change to become more like Him. 

I got to see Andrew and Ashley from Outbound! I got to see the amazing Sister Hadfield that served in Tasmania and that I love so dearly, to see the lovely Jacque and David, it was amazing and have re-confirmed to us that we are here to find and help the Jews come to know their Savior and Redeemer! Conference weekend couldn't have been better! 

I love the gospel so much, I love knowing that it has been Restored by a prophet in it's fullness, I love knowing that Jesus Christ is always there for me when I stumble or fall, when I'm struggling a little or when I'm having a hard day, or even an amazing day! I love being able to bear testimony of these truths that have been restored and many others, such as the Book of Mormon, Temples, the Family, all these things. I love being a missionary and I love being able to represent Jesus Christ at this time in teaching His gospel to all nations. I love this work and I will forever be a missionary!

I invite you all to catch up or to read/watch General Conference with questions in your heart, I promise it will change everything as you have a sincere desire to learn and to grow. "The Lord can only teach an inquiring mind" 

Love, Sister Ryan xx 

Photos

 Bob our Temple Square Angel

April 2015 General conference 

with Sis Christensen

Sunday morning Conference

tickets to conference

love my companion to bits

First Companion returns to see Sis Ryan

Transfer 9 Week 5

IT'S GENERAL CONFERENCE!

It has begun and it's getting really exciting here on Temple Square! With the amazing Women Session of Conference last Saturday, the Square is getting prettier as the days go by as they get ready for the busiest weekend on the Square! There are members from all over the world coming in and checking out the sights, I can't put into words the excitement I have for this weekend. I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! I have truly been concerted to conference throughout my mission. This is my 3rd Conference and I am just living it up right now! getting quotes and scriptures ready to use, role playing and picking out those Ensign worthy outfits! Hahaha

Last week I expressed the difficulty had in the ways of missionary work. Last Thursday after everything, I just got on my knees and prayed so hard... I told Heavenly Father that tomorrow we will do EVERYTHING we can to see miracles happen, to feel that success and to feel and fulfill our purpose as missionaries. I cried to the Lord and just expressed and told him everything I was feeling and gave my heart to Him in that prayer. I felt good afterwards and then tomorrow came. It was Friday, usually an okay day on the Square, we got there and when we started, we didn't stop. We were flat out ALL DAY! There were moments of trails of faith, I think the Lord was checking to see how serious I was in my prayer. 10 minutes for lunch and very little dinner later, it was the best day on the square I'd had in a long time! And it felt amazing! At lunch Sister Christensen was like "what is going on?" then I confessed... "I may, or may not have promised Heavenly Father I would do everything I could to see miracles happen" We both laughed and you know what... we took 6 tours and found potentials and even a new investigator and a less-active to start working with. It felt so good to sacrifice even just little things to do the work of the Lord. It was incredible and I know that my prayer was answered though my faith and diligence. 

Just like in Enos 1:12 "And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith." 

It was so amazing at the end of the day to get on my knees and thank the Lord for everything He had given us that day and to report to him on the success we had. The difference was so dramatic, it has changed me completely and I am so grateful for the witness after the trial of faith (Ether 12:6) 

The next day was just as incredible as the last, we had District Leader exchanges and we took around and met my first Australian Jewish people (I love Jewish History and Culture!), we met some incredible families, opened Meet the Mormons! Yesterday was the day my prayers were answered and today I was able to the opposite view... Heavenly Father has a perfect plan, He really does, sometimes we do not understand but it all works out in the end. After opening Meet the Mormons we met this rather receptive family near the Temple, we got talking but when we invited to take them on a tour, they said no. So we kept walking and followed out plan to go to the North Visiting Center, we turn around the corner and there is a Women with 2 teen girls, she stopped and was so surprised and shocked she said "It's you!" and I was like "what... is... going... on?... Do I know you?" then she replied "You don't know me, but I know you" I asked her if she knew my Mum and she did! We got talking more and then she continued saying that not only does she know my Mum, but her son is serving in Japan... with my boyfriend! "ELDER BRADLEY?! what?! No way!" It was the craziest thing, the world is so small! It was incredible! The more we got talking the more amazing it got, she told me that she had been praying to find me and then I just walked around the corner, I then understood why the family didn't accept the tour, I needed to be here to answer her prayer. It was such a tender experience! We played Because He Lives and bore testimony and helped lift another spirits, it was amazing and I am so grateful for that experience! 

But the answers to prayers didn't end there! later on we were walking around near God Plan for His Family and met these awesome RM's that served in New Zealand and then we finished talking and a women came up to me and she had tears in her eyes, she said "I don't know if you remember us, but we were there when you played Meet the Mormons and my daughter loves everything Australian, would you be able to bear your testimony and allow me to film it so I can show my 8yo at home? We are here for Womens Conference with the Young Women in my ward and I felt prompted that I needed to find you and do this! I have been praying that I would see you again, and here you are!" It was crazy... Heavenly Father is so amazing, I can't put it into words how I felt about the whole situation... I was the cause and answer to 2 peoples prayers that day and it was just an incredible follow up that not only are my prayers answered, but so are other peoples. He loves everyone one of us so much and I know he hears you, I know he is listening, even when you feel no one is here, he is listening I promise! I gained a strong conviction of that this past week and I am so grateful for it. The Lord has been pretty quiet with me lately and it was hard... I didn't know what I was doing wrong, it's not that I was doing anything wrong, it's just that I needed to learn and grow from these experiences and I am so grateful for that! (Mosiah 23:21) 

However, The Lord has ceased to be quiet with me and was rather loud Saturday night as the General Women Session of Conference came along, I had in my heart 2 questions about my mission, I have prayed about post-mission in the past, but it was quiet and then I realized that it's not important right now and to just focus on the work that I am doing. The Lord knows me so perfectly, He knew that the thing he had to tell me is something I would not have listened to unless I was in the right place at the right time with the right spirit and instruction

given. I'm not going to go into the details of the revelation received and I'm going the be annoying and say something they say in the Book of Mormon "suffiecth to say"... The Lord set my priorities straight and told me what needs to be my primary focus after my mission. He told me something that I need to do that I never set as a really high priority... It was hard to take in and even my MTC companion knew something was up and couldn't wait to get out of me what happened and I has warned her previously while talking about revelation and answered prayers that I had the feeling my life was about to be changed forever through General Conference and.. it has. At first I was shocked and nothing made sense, but as I started to ponder it's starting to make sense in my mind. Obviously I don't know the logistics of it all but I feel more at peace about post-mission than what I have in a long time and I have hope, I look forward to the future and have greater confidence in it all and it's exciting. I don't need to worry or think about it until after I get home, but it's nice to know that the Lord knew me and knew that I needed to receive the revelation the way that I did, if it hadn't of come the way it did, I would have easily dismissed it and so I'm happy and grateful for the quiet so that I could appreciate the loud!

So if there is anything that I have learnt this week besides the fact that my Mum is basically Facebook Famous on Missionary Mommas... It's that prayers are answered... I became converted to that this week, it's not only just a testimony now, but it's something that has been building a long time and it's come. Please never doubt the Lord listens and hears you as you pray. I love the second verse to one of my favorite primary songs when it says: "Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list'ning. You are his child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n."

I know it to be true, I know he hears and I know he is listening, you are never alone! But not only does he hear and listen, but he answers in silent and loud ways that sometimes don't make sense, but all come together perfectly for the right reasons at the right time. Keep praying, just like Elder Ballard said last General Conference "Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences." Please make time to do this, I know that as you do it will change your life and you will feel so much closer to Heaven! 

Love, Sister Ryan xx 

Photos

General Womens Session of Conference 

General Womens Session of Conference 

We got our iPads this week and I'm loving it!

We got our iPads this week and I'm loving it!