Happy New Year!

Hey Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! I know mine was really really

good!!! I feel like I don't really have a whole lot of amazinly interesting

news we just went to the MCRD to sing for a Christmas Devotional Christmas

morning, came back to the house opened presents, the I took a nap while my

companion was talking to his family on the phone, then we went to a members

house to eat lunch played pictionary then talked to all of my fam the rest

of the night....not too shabby if you ask me. It was just a chill Christmas

nothing too big. but I probably need to wrap this up actually the library

that we usually go to is closed this week so we had to go to a different one

and they don't give you as much time as the other but next week the library

should be open again so I'll be able to send a longer one! But take care

everyone, love you all and I'll talk at cha next week!!!

Much love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Howdy Everyone!
Welp...never thought I'd say it but looks like we're gonna have a white
Christmas down here in San Diego....white as in whitewater...it's been
raining down here for about 2 days straight and the news on the street is
that it's not gonna stop for another 2 weeks. They're predicting record
rainfall down here in Sunny SoCal. It's pretty crazy because already they're
blocking off streets because of the flooding everywhere... and there's been
a lot of wrecks around too... Dang Californias..they act like it only rains
a few times a year down here.... I think tomorrow we're actually going to go
play some fooseball in the rain... What happened this week was we had what's
called a MTE or Missionary Training Exhange today and yesterday for our zone
and another zone so what President wanted us to do was switch our P-day from
today to yesterday but still go email because he said he doesn't want any
angry phone calls from angry moms who don't get an email from their kid
haha.... So I guess other kids mommas are just like mine..."aren't all mamas
the same?" ha....  so that's the deal today and tomorrow President said it's
our early Christmas gift to email today... I'll take it! Especially because
tomorrow's gonna be a busy day! Let's see I've got Todd Ulrich's sealing
tomorrow which I got permission from President to go to! So that'll be
pretty sick, then mud football, then our district is gonna have a big nerf
gun war in the church building, then Thursday's our mission Christmas party,
Friday's Noche Buena, and then Saturday Feliz Navidad! So it's gonna be a
goooooood week coming up!
It's been a good time at Christmas this year... What we've been doing as a
companionship and a district is wrapping Joy to the World, The Testaments,
The Restoration, Mr. Krugers Christmas DVD's, Copies of the Book of Mormon
etc. just all these kinds of stuff and we've been handing them out like
candy to people; members to give to their friends, investigators, people
whom we talk to on the street... Just anybody and giving them a gift that
will really change their lives and those around them...truly what we're
doing is giving these people access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ in
which other ways cannot be accessed unless through us and the church we
represent....and what an incredible Christmas it's been! Goin out with a
bang this last one! We've also been caroling and handing out our Christmas
cards to our members and investigators and knocking on doors of apartment
complexes and singing in the courtyard..It's actually been really
effective...we've found a few families to teach through it so it's produced
some good results. And you can just tell that's there's a different spirit
about the people whom we're already teaching and the people in whom we talk
with. It's pretty cool and I hope that everyone's able to feel that same
spirit that comes from the joy of Christmas! Have a HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!
Love you all and ENJOY!!!!
Feliz Navidad!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Ryan Lawter

I mean...Feliz Navidad!!

Feliz Navidad!....Casi.... solomente tenemos falta once dias!!! No puedo
esperar!
It's almost here! We've been doing a lot of caroling, watch Joy to the World
with people, helping people decorate, sharing scriptures about Christ's
birth....it's been sooo much fun!
 And as well amazing to see the Spirit of Christmas in everybody. It's weird
thinking that this is going to be my last Christmas as a missionary but it
for sure has been one of the best ones! There hasn't been any crazy news
or blow you off your feet miracles but it seems since December hit we've had
just little miracles each and everyday; people being home that usually
aren't home, finding people on the street that we've been looking for
forever, people generally have been more accepting and letting us in just
like things like that have been happening more and more everyday and there's
no doubt in my mind that it's the Spirit of Chirst the true Spirit of
Christmas inside of these people and inside of us as well.
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. "And the angel said unto
them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
toward men."
It's my prayer that what we keep in our hearts and we give "Glory to God in
the highest." This day and everyday.
Love you all talk to ya next week!!!
Feliz Navidad!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Ryan Lawter

Merry Christmas!!!

Ryan says MERRY CHRISTMAS to all his family and friends! 

And if you need a little pick me up:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/LVz70

5yFYm7HJQ2K

[click or copy/paste the link!] 

Ice skating

Hello!
So Happy December 7th to you all! It seems like there's been so much that's
goin on this month! I mean it is only just Christmas but for me let's see we
had a ward party last Friday, transfers tomorrow, another ward party next
friday, zone conference the Monday before Christmas, our mission Christmas
party, and then of course the big day, Christmas eve which is the day most
mexicans really celebrate (mucha mucha cerveza haha for non-members though)
then new years. Just busy busy busy on top of all the other stuff but it's
gonna be so much fun! Last Christmas I'll ever spend as a missionary. Pretty
crazy! I'll definitely be glad to spend the next one at home though, there's
just something about the holidays that makes me wish I was home for just a
day even which is pretty natural but then again i wouldn't change a thing
bein out here helpin others to make their Christmas bright because there's
definitely a lot of lonely hearts especially at this time of year. It's fun
though watching their eyes light up when we teach them and especially when
they get baptized. I had a kid get baptized at the MCRD just this past
Sunday and as well be ordained to the office of a Priest (we kind of go in
fast forward at the MCRD) and just to see how happy he was and auroa about
him..there's no doubt in my mind that he's gonna go back home to Washington
and baptize his family..no doubt in my mind...he's just a way solid kid!
I'll attach the picture to this email to if you all can open it he's the one
in the middle...recruit VanWyck....he actually doesn't look to happy in the
pic but underneath the marine face there's a big ol' teddy bear haha good
kid! Underneath the robe you find the man and underneath the man you find
his....nucleus..... Alrighty so that's about all the news I've got...no news
but I better get to steppin so you all have a good week! Take care! and same
time same place next week!
One Love,
Elder Ryan Lawter

Gobble Gobble!

Hope everyone walked up to the computer instead of wheeling up because of thanksgiving... hope it was a good one for you all! it was good here! I think we had like 5 dinners in a space of 2 days...let's see 5 dinner / 2 days = Ryan needs to go on a diet..... seriously..it's gross. On the bright side though it's freezing here! San Diego's making record lows and guess who's not prepared! haha before I came here I didn't even take a blanket with me.. I thought alls I need is a sheet and I'll be good..besides it's Sunny San Diego....how bad could it get!? Now I know for sure Heavenly Father has a sense of humor....to bad I'm the jack-in-the-box this time around....but it's all good...some have it worse so I guess I shouldn't be complaining.

So here we are again...as in olden days...happy golden days....Christmas! You all know what's coming too...of course from the missionary I'm gonna talk about focusing on the true meaning of Christmas but as well at the same time how we need to take advantage of the time that's been given to us. Take advantage of the things that we've been given. And especially take advantage of the people that we've been given because that is really what will make our season bright...sharing it with the ones we love and celebrating the One who loves us even more. I know it's a little early to get on the soap box but think about it as you get together with family, go shopping, jam out to rudolph in the car....there's a greater meaning to it all and when we realize it...that's when the true spirit of Christmas will enter into our hearts and will be one that we'll never forget!

Love you all have a good week and a good start to the holiday!!

Mucho amor!

Elder Lawter

Thanksgiving Pictures!

**Some of Ryan's captions were too good to not post!! 

We were cleaning this nasty nasty mex-a-house one day...I think I have 29 diseases now including mono, aids, and sticketodamanneosis....and others as well...

This is our ward mission leader Hno Perez...He's a stud but it was raining and freakin cold that day so thats my raining and freakin cold face!

This is my home girl...Her names Ana.. She invited us to a thanksgiving dinner one night at the nursing home where she lives...she's in a wheelchair because she's paralyzed from the waist down because her ex-husband almost beat her to death...it's a really sad story but she is soooo awesome!

The guy is the administrator at the nursing home and hes a member...stud member I should say hes just money...he gave us a ride one night in his infinity...ballin....

My companion stepped in dog turd hahaha "merry christmas ya filthy animal." -name that movie.... 

Happy Thanksgiving!

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

- Colossians 3:15

It's that time again!!! Thanksgiving time!! I've just been thinking a lot lately...especially considering the season and time were in right now but there's just sooo much to be thankful for. So what does it really mean to be thankful and to live in a spirit of thanksgiving? Does it mean for just a day? Does it mean for just the holidays? Does it mean just saying thank you a bunch? I was lucky and had the chance to go to the temple today and that kind of dawned on me that it shouldn't be just a seasonal thing...it shouldn't be put up like decorations and then just take it all down when the snow melts...Giving thanks from your heart is a constant thing... the Prophet Alma taught to "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanksunto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." It's a nightly thing. It's an every morning thing. It's a daily thing. And if we let that peace of God rule our hearts and we give thanks for all that we have we will be a happier people. Elder Wirthlin said that "Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love." When it becomes we know that we are truly living in thanksgiving in every aspect of our lives..... I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all of you...my family, friends, whoever...I love you all and want to thank you for all of your support! I'm also way thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings that have come from being a member of His church. Who knows where I'd be without it but I'd rather think of where I am with it. It's meant everything to me and for that I am truly grateful and for everything else that I have! I hope you all have an awesome week this week!! Just letting y'all know that I'll be goin on a seafood diet this week..meaning when I SEEfood...I eat it!!! so don't expect any pics till I lose the turkey or in my case all the pig stomach.

Welp I'd better go but have a good week all of ya, keep this spirit with you always and I'll be talkin to ya next week!!!

One love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

pics!

Ryan calls this smile his "Quorum of the 12 smile". He says it's not working for him and that he's gotta "show his grill." I think he's right.

Life is Good

God is great, the word is good, and people are crazyyyyyy.....
hey sorry about last week I guess it didn't go through...the computer here a
ruthless you've only got a specific amount of time and that's it so I was
rushin to get the email finished and sent out and I hit send literally like
a second before the computer shut me down...it was like some james bond
stuff... I figured it would've sent but I guess not....oh well you still
love me right???....good answer....
So things here have been going extremely well! They are finally starting to
pick up! This past week has been by far the week that we've been working
towards for a month or so now! We still had some heart-break still had some
stuff that happened that...well...wish it wouldn't 'ave happened but that's
the work right? That's life....Only thing you can do is put your head down
and keep pushin and keep pushin. Life's lessons are best learned when you're
going through them and consistently working through them instead of watching
them from the sidelines. President Uchtdorf said that..."When our wagon gets
stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to
push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how
eloquent the oration." Our wagons get stuck in the mud more that we would
like and sometimes it feels like we're the only ones pushin it out but I
know for a certainty that were not alone. Through out my mission I have had
more ups and downs, forward and backwards, side to sides but I have without
a doubt felt the hand of the Lord helpin me pull my cart out and the
encouraging thing is that divine help isn't just limited to missionaries,
isn't just limited to a select few, it's accessible to all you want it.
"Jesus Christ, who by far suffered the most, has the most compassion—for all
of us who suffer so much less" - Neal A Maxwell....He is there...His hand is
sufficent...All we have to do is do our best and keep pushing forward and he
will take hold of the rest and when we least expect it...that's when the
cart will pop free and the burden will be lifted.
love you all keep strong and hold on! have a good week and take care!!!
much love,
Elder Ryan Lawter

Wiffle Ball in the city

Howdy eeryone!

Just a quick note to let cha'll know how I'm doin. We actually have transfers tomorrow but I'm stayin in the same area as well as my companion... Which I'm way stoked about we've got a lot of good things goin on and pretty much all of this past transfer was workin to build this place up...so we've already set em' up and it's time to knock em down. We've got a lot of really good people right now but there's something different that's holding each and everyone of them back from being baptized....mostly it's work, work, work, but for some it's family members, some it's health issues, some it's their scared to leave their church even though they know that this church is true and has a testimony in it. Just the adversary workin overtime but this transfer should be a really good one because these peeps are ready. Other than that not a whole lot of business goin on..... probably next week though so until then take it easy and you all have a good week!

much love,

Elder Lawter

This is Elder Ernst...He's from Spanish Fork and him and Willie (my roommate out there) use to run around. Elder Ernst went home today.