This is it-Ryan will be home on Monday!

Let me be short and clear on this one:

I know that Jesus is the Christ. He came down from His divine throne to laydown His life to save us all...not only that we'll live again but also thatwe'll have strength and support through all of our trials, our tribulations,our sicknesses, and infirmities....it's all covered.I know that with out a doubt that this is His church that werepresent...directed by Him, guided by Him, watched over by Him. I know thatJoseph Smith restored His church and like all prophets "by their fruits youwill know them." That being the Book of Mormon just as the Bible they aretrue and just as any spiritual truth one must read it, ponder it with asincere heart not to prove that it's wrong but to find out if it's right,then pray about it and ask God if it really is His word. No other book do Iknow of that offers such an invitation and such a change of life too. It'sall true. People are gonna say what they're gonna say but the fact of thematter is it's true and nothing will stop the work like the stone that wascut out of the mountain without hands. I'm a witness of it all. This is whatheals the broken heart and soothes the lost soul. I can only hope that thatsinks in to everyones heart and really speaks to them as it has to me. Iknow this to be true with all my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

One love family take care and be safe,

Elder Ryan Lawter.

"It almost cant be real that its comin to an end

The feeling's almost like Im losing my best friend

The places I've been the people I've met

Is something that I truly will never forget

Gettin doors slammed in my face and everyone saying no

It'll probably be weird to hear this but I don't wanna let that go

So I really do consider myself a lucky man

Whether they wanted to hear it or not to share God's eternal plan

So let's do this thing and wipe away those tears

Cuz I thank God everyday for these "Best Two Years"

Hey family,

I think my time might be a little short on here just got a lot to get done today and still have some fun...

Things in Ramona have been booming a little bit. A fire started in the branch here and things are just going really good... I hope that I see a few baptisms before I go its possible but its gonna be pushin it for some but as long as the enter into the covenant at sometime or another I'm good with that.  Ive wonder ever since I got here why I came here and not just finished it off in Bonita where things were going pretty well! But the more and more weve worked here and the more and more people weve got to know its been clear as to why I was sent here for the short time that I have. We've had a few Less-Active families come back investigators taking greater hold on the gospel, people have been opening the doors to us and weve been getting in to places where the members and missionaries have tried for a bit and it just hasnt worked out for one reason or another...but all-in-all ive seen the purpose on why Ive been here and the fire is taking off. This is exactly how I saw and wanted my mission to end off...with a bang. Its the last sprint to the finish line and I am eternally greatful for the opportunity to learn all that I have here in this area. I dont know words just cant really express all that Ive got goin inside right now but alls I can say is that Im greatful beyond mesure.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is all the email said...I think he may have gotten cut off! Oh well, only one more email!!!!

Smile!

How's it goin everyone!

I dont have a whole lot of time right now were getting ready to ship off to

the zoo today so we wanted to get a good jump so were not rushin through

everything like last time we went at the beginning of my mission way back in

2009..... daaaaaaaang! But things have been well... good but a little trying

at the same time just seems that nothing is working out for us but theres a

quote that always rings in my head when things get tough out here. I can

just hear President Eyrings voice everytime i think of this quote but he

said " Hard things *today* will be better in the *next* day, if you choose

to serve the Lord *this* day." And I love that! my mission has been full of

hard days Im not gonna lie and its just like out mortal experince which is

filled with difficult times but if we continually serve the Lord today

things will be better tomorrow and forever. The price of everything that we

want is sacrifice. "The greatest happiness in God’s generous plan is finally

reserved for those who are willing to stretch and to pay the costs of

journeying to His regal realm." -Elder Neal A. Maxwell....so in reality it

is no sacrifice when were getting so much back but that's what's

been keeping me going that past couple of weeks is that there's light at the

end of the tunnel and it keeps drawing nearer and nearer.

Have a good week everyone and take care!!!

Con mucho amor y carino,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Howdy Doody

So there was this man that was doin the census and he came to this one house and knocked on the door...the guy answered and the census man explained who he was and everything thing so the guy started giving the information of everyone who lived in the house so he asked the guy who answered what his name was and he said adam...so then he asked his wifes name and he said her name's eve... so at this point the census guy is like ok cmon really? but so he asked if the man had any kids and he said yeah I've got 2 one's name is Cain and the others name is Abel...So the census guy slammed his folder shut and told him you gotta be kidding me!? so are you gonna tell me that a serpent lives here too!? and the man was like yeah...mother-in-law come here! (suegra te habla) haha i think its funnier in spanish but it's still pretty good in english haha... i heard that one the other day...
 Things here are goin great we had a hand-full of people at church a family that's comin up for baptism so I think everything's everything here. Things get kind of slow in the afternoons because it seems like Ramona's a ghost town..people actually have jobs...it's kind of inconvenient for us because no ones really home and it wasnt that way really back in national city and san diego but it's all good...all a part of it I guess... but things are just kind of feeling like its all a daze right now...like it's not real that were in june already... One of the greatest experiences of my life hands down. Im just really grateful that I had the opportunity to come dedicate myself for 2 years and serve His purpose. There's something about the gospel that just fills me up and it's weird because I hadn't always felt that in my life so you could really say that it's been a life changing experience an eternal changing experience for the better and I gotta believe that's why we're here on this earth to find those experience and to never let go. To cherish what we love the most and grow as children of God making our way back to Him. It's a life long process that's not necessarily to be endured but to be enjoyed. The gospel is a gospel of transformation...turning someone into a person that through their eyes they never thought that they could become but it's what God sees that we should strive for and make our eternal goals. We've got a family that's coming up for baptism and to just see the change from day one to now..it's unbelievable and that's what God offers for us to be spiritually born again so to say and our spiritual natures affect all of our other natures and turn us into a better person and who we need to become. It's what God's plans all about and what we as the representatives of that plan have to offer. Today were heading off to a little place called Julian so we'd better get going on our little yellow brick road there but take care everyone and God Bless!
Much love,
Elder Ryan Lawter

Howdy Doody

So there was this man that was doin the census and he came to this one house and knocked on the door...the guy answered and the census man explained who he was and everything thing so the guy started giving the information of everyone who lived in the house so he asked the guy who answered what his name was and he said adam...so then he asked his wifes name and he said her name's eve... so at this point the census guy is like ok cmon really? but so he asked if the man had any kids and he said yeah I've got 2 one's name is Cain and the others name is Abel...So the census guy slammed his folder shut and told him you gotta be kidding me!? so are you gonna tell me that a serpent lives here too!? and the man was like yeah...mother-in-law come here! (suegra te habla) haha i think its funnier in spanish but it's still pretty good in english haha... i heard that one the other day...
 Things here are goin great we had a hand-full of people at church a family that's comin up for baptism so I think everything's everything here. Things get kind of slow in the afternoons because it seems like Ramona's a ghost town..people actually have jobs...it's kind of inconvenient for us because no ones really home and it wasnt that way really back in national city and san diego but it's all good...all a part of it I guess... but things are just kind of feeling like its all a daze right now...like it's not real that were in june already... One of the greatest experiences of my life hands down. Im just really grateful that I had the opportunity to come dedicate myself for 2 years and serve His purpose. There's something about the gospel that just fills me up and it's weird because I hadn't always felt that in my life so you could really say that it's been a life changing experience an eternal changing experience for the better and I gotta believe that's why we're here on this earth to find those experience and to never let go. To cherish what we love the most and grow as children of God making our way back to Him. It's a life long process that's not necessarily to be endured but to be enjoyed. The gospel is a gospel of transformation...turning someone into a person that through their eyes they never thought that they could become but it's what God sees that we should strive for and make our eternal goals. We've got a family that's coming up for baptism and to just see the change from day one to now..it's unbelievable and that's what God offers for us to be spiritually born again so to say and our spiritual natures affect all of our other natures and turn us into a better person and who we need to become. It's what God's plans all about and what we as the representatives of that plan have to offer. Today were heading off to a little place called Julian so we'd better get going on our little yellow brick road there but take care everyone and God Bless!
Much love,
Elder Ryan Lawter

Hola Familia,
Sounds like everyones been kept on their toes this past week with all the crazy weather!!! A lot of people were telling me here and some even called to see if "my family" was ok. So I hope nothin too bad happened but man I saw some of the pictures and it looks bad.... I guess its all proving that the scriptures are really true! and I think some people are starting to realize that now...This past weekend Ramona had its annual rodeo!!! YEE HAW!!!!! So we took advantage of it and set up a booth haha Ill attach a picture to this email to show you all cuz im pretty proud of it...it looks way legit doesnt it!? (There's actually a funny story to the picture with my hand on my face which ill tell one of these days cuz its kinda hard to explain typing it) But there was a big rumor around here in San Diego I dont know about anywheres else but that the world was gonna end last Saturday at 6....haha oh maybe he ment next year haha...someone told me that the same guy came around like 20 years ago and said the same thing and told his congregation this and then his prediction passed I bet he was like "Crap not again! I thought I had it this time for sure!" ha but we had a lot of people actually really scared about it and a lot of people came up and asked us about it at the rodeo and usually everyday we hear about it. Quite frankly I dont know how people believe these clowns. If they would read the scriptures..they would know...there would be no confusion as to rumors like that. Just like that if they would actually read the word they would know that "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) Christ talking about when He will come again in His glory. There is safety in the scriptures. Especially for a world that it filled with false rumors, turmoil, wars, rumors of wars, disease, violence, families being torn apart, drugs, just nasty stuff like that. I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting in church this past Sunday and spoke about the importance of the family and how we can strengthen it and its only through our preparation can we truly be ready for the storms of like. Preparation being; reading the scriptures everyday, praying in our families everyday, listening to those men authorized from God to lead the world, and just doing all that we can to strive towards to goodly in the world just as the 13th Article of Faith states: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." It the goodness of the Gospel that will give us peace. It the sacrifices to be better that will protect us from the evils of the world. And its the diligence on His word and His church that we can be guided and know the purpose of it all. I'm sittin by a kid right now here at the library with his headphones BLASTIN some heavy metal junk, I bet if I were to yell at the top of my lungs at him...he wouldn't hear me. God is not the same way...He still speaks to us and gives us all the tools that we need to succeed but He's not going to yell at us so that we can hear if we got all the static of the world jammed in our ears that we can't hear the quiet whisperings of the Lord's spirit. Just block it all out. That's why the world is what it is and that's why the people are confused and wondering purposelessly because they're channel is plugged into the world (and the volume is at max
) and not into the channel of God. What a pity to have this free important channel that everyone can have a subscription to...and not use it....it's sad but the saddest part is that it's all too common. So in your lives..dont make it common. Block out all the static generated from the world and listen to that still small voice. I've seen the blessings from the fruits of the Gospel and they really are life changing! So the choice is up to us...Follow God or follow the deceiver...there's no other direction. It's my hope that we truly do follow God in all things not just when it's comfortable or when weve got no other hope but "in all times, in all things, and in all places." And its the eternal blessings that come from this sacrifice that are far better and more rewarding than anything we could ever dream of.
Have a good week and truly put these words to thought because of a representative of Jesus Christ I know that they are true with all my heart.
With all the love,
Elder Lawter

Hey everyone!!!

Things are going pretty good here!!! We've been having a lot of small

successes a little bit at a time. You know when Elder Hill and I first got

here it looked like our backs were up against the wall and that we were bout

ready to take a climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro....aka tall..or so I hear... but

it's been amazing the support and love of the members and even people that

we dont even know just wrapping their arms around us and taking us in like

we were their own. We have dinners pretty much like every night...which has

it's pro's and con's especially since I'm headin home next month but you can

tell that the members just already love us and I'm sure it's the same for

all the missionaries passin through here in Ramona. But as I've started to

come down to "my last days" it's been kind of a surreal thing to overcome.

There's a lot of emotions definitely coming on a mission and leaving home

but I think there might be more emotions leaving your mission then going in.

My mission has been an experience un like any other. It's been filled with

ups but then again it's been filled with a lot of downs and trials but

through it all looking back it's seemed that I've forgotten the little

everyday trials and can remember only the miracles, the joy, the happiness

of it all. Most of the progression that I've done in my life has been

here... on my mission...so how can you be disappointed with the results. But

I've been thinking a lot of the word enduring and not only to endure but to

endure it all well. There's a lot of things in our lives that we "endure" so

to say...maybe it's enduring through sorrow, maybe grief, maybe a person,

maybe a chick flick for us guys (momma mia) and maybe a kill everything you

see movie for the girls (no such thing) because we want to make the person

who we go with happy. So if these things deserve the terminology as endure,

sacrifice, give up something...then why do we do it? Why do we subject

ourselves to these kind of things. Maybe it's just cuz we're weird and like

to have sucky times....or on the other had because we know what lies on the

tomorrow of endurement..."the greener grass on the other side".  When the

Prophet Joseph Smith was incarcerated in the Liberty Jail during probably

the climax of the persecution the Saints faced in Missouri and at probably

so history says one of the worst winters recorded it brought the Prophet to

the point to ask where God was...why was there so much suffering? and when

was it going to stop? and then the answer came "My son, peace be unto thy

soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And

then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt

triumph over all thy foes." The answer didn't come right away...but the

answer did come and at the time that it was needed the most and at a point

that everything seemed hopeless. And that is when He delivers. At the time

when we really need Him the most. So my mission has been a lot of enduring;

with spanish, investigators, and a lot of unseen factors too but through it

all I've felt the Lord's hand for sure in my life and sustaining me more

than ever but on a bigger sense to everyone that is passing through times of

trial and suffering...never give up or never give for it's after the trials

of your faith that you receive the witness. And as the Apostle Paul said

"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,

believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Corinthians

13:7). It's not easy...nothing in life is easy or is it suppose to be easy

but with the peace and serenity of God it's possible and not only possible

but bliss after it's all said and done. Remember the promise the Lord gives

and take that and run. So think again what Paul said to his son "Thou

therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ".... and "If we

suffer we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us"

(2 Timothy 2)

All is well. Trust in God and always trust in good things to come.

All my love,

Elder Lawter

 

So I hope that everyone... well all the mothers future or current had a good

weekend! I know it was a good meeting in Sacrament last Sunday for all the 5

moms that we had haha actually there was a few more but all in all I think

that we had around 20 or so people at church... I liked it...it just seemed

like a nice little family but it also indicates that there's much to be done

here!

Im actually just gonna start right into to my little spiritual thought

because Ive only got like 15 min left on here before it kicks me off so

it'll be short and sweet but I was reading through the last chapter of John

in 21 the other day and it just hit be like a train how powerful this

chapter is. So background on it all this is after Christ was crucified and

I'm sure the apostels were like well what next? The Man that we've followed

for all these years and worshiped is gone so what do we do now? Well they

went back to what they did best and that was fishing. There were 5 of them

that went Peter included and they couldn't catch anything that night...not

even a turtle and lo and behold there was a man that appeared on the shore

and told them to throw their net and the other side of the ship and so they

did and the scripture said that there were so many fish in the net that they

couldn't reel it in...it was just to heavy. So one of the disciple looked at

Peter and said it's Him...it's our Master that we've been following this

whole time...so what does Peter do...He cannonballs it into the water and

starts Michael Phelpsing it towards his Master. And when he gets there and

the other apostles the Risen Lord already has breakfast made for them...It's

amazing even after His mortal ministry He continues to perform miracles and

looking outward to His fellow men. And the part while they were eating is

the part I kind of wanted to focus on...and this is what the scripture says

starting in verse 15 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea,

Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.He

saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He

saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,

feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest

thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest

thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest

that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep." Peter already

knowing when Christ says something 3 times He means it but of all the things

that we tells His chief apostle He tells him...leave everything behind:

fishing, relaxing, everything! and feed my sheep! Then He later goes on and

says "Follow thou me" As many miracles that happened in this chapter

occurred I think this is the greatest one because after we see the Apostle

Peter turn into one of the greatest witnesses of the Risen Lord that this

world has ever seen. And it's my prayer that we do the same..The Good

Shepperd wants His sheep to return so that's why He continues to give the

commission to feed His sheep...There are plenty of people that need our help

constantly and we were either born in this Gospel or privileged enough to

hear and accept it to simply share it and bless others who stand in need of

it. "When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." and as we do I can

promise that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon us and we will feel it

more strongly than ever before if we yet feed His sheep.

Have a good week and know that I love you all!!!!

Much love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Hi everybody!

How's it goin!? Hope everyone's doing really good!!!! Things here well they've been pretty boring and low-key.....yeah...that's a lie....so like I was telling you all Elder Bednar came to the Sweetwater stake during stake conference and just belted it! It was sooooo good!!!! He talked about finding a testimony a lot and how a testimony and conversion are similar and not so different. He told us that a "testimony is knowing the Gospels true however conversion is being true to the Gospel" and our conversion grows out of our testimony. Something else that really struck me was that he said a testimony is not enough to get through especially in this world and in these latter-days but rather it's just a beginning or a foundation to the defense of the adversary but we need sooo much more to combat it all. It was just an alll around stud conference! Elder Bednar is such an awesome guy and just feeling the spirit while I was there was incredible!!! So on to more news...I think I touched on it a little bit last week but Elder Perry came down and the reason was I'm sure because our mission got two more stakes from the Carlsbad mission...the Poway and Peneskito stakes and so there was a need for around 40 missionaries and so guess who's up north in a little podunk town called ramona population 46.....1564 if you count livestock haha it's not that small but compared to San Diego I thought we got lost and found ourselves in the beautiful town of Holt,Missouri....close enough though. It's really cool here you know I was soooooo sad to leave my last area in Bonita with all the people that I got soooo close to and the time we had together but being here I'm really excited! It really does seem like home just open fields cows instead of pitbulls...cowboys instead of gangsters... horses instead of cars....hmmm hmmm hmmm home sweet home! I stayed with my companion Elder Hill which is good we kept our car which her name's whitney...she's perrty... were in a little tiny branch still spanish but this place has a lot of potential I feel our old area had 4 with a baptismal date and we had 5 at church the past week so things were rockin but I know the Lord has sent Elder Hill and I here for a reason and I tend to found out what that reason is in the short time that I have left but it's all good...im the district leader over 4 companionships including mine so there's a lot of work to do but it's just time to put the shoulder to the wheel and push along...maybe even literally up here... but I'm excited to be here rep it out the last few weeks of my mission! So that's the boring up dates haha man im pooped!!! we had to close our old apartment down and move everything because there's not going to be anymore elders living there so it was a long night and day...it's still been a long day!!! but its all for the best cause and Im still soooo happy to be a missionary!!! Best decision of my life to give the blessings that I already have. President Hinckely said Serving a mission isn't a sacrifice because you receive soooo much more than you sacrifice.... and I know that to be true without a doubt I love this gospel and I love my mission sooo much!!! It has meant everything for me more than anyone i'm sure but it's the same cause were all engaged in so be converted and "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Have a great week everyone!!! love you all sooo much and I will talk at cha next week!!! Oh since I forgot last week thank you all who sent me cards for my birthday and a little letter in the book that whitney put together it meant sooo much to me to see all of those names and words of encouragement....I feel love people and Im sendin it right back at cha and too Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas!!!! Have a good day on Sunday!!!! Love you all and take care!!!!

One Love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Hey!

how are you all!? Sorry bout last week I could've sworn that I sent out the email but I think that I was soo rushed that I probably clicked out without hitting the send button... whoops my B.... haha but everythings good here! We had a really cool experience to listen to two general authorities and their wives today! Elder Clayton from the Presidency of the 70 and Elder Perry of the 12 came down today because of some of the changes that are going to occur in the next few weeks in our mission so they came and we had a conference with them that was sooooo good!!!! Then on top of that Elder Bednar is coming to our stake for stake conference this sunday so that's 2 down...10 to go..no acutally 3 down when Elder Holland came last week so only 9 to go now! But it was sooooo goood!!!! Obviously I don't have enough time to go over all that they talked about but it seems that the theme was is that the work just keeps going forward but the Lord needs more! The missionary efforts that 60 thousand and some odd are putting in just are for today but they are for the future..planting seeds and growing leaders for the future of the church! It's amazing to think how quickly and swiftly the church is growing and growing on the shoulders of testimonies being spread across the world not only by missionaries but by members alike and this is how it will be forever..."Until the Great Jeahovah will say the work is finished" how grateful I am to be a small speck in it and the little that I do to help it roll forward but the Lord needs more! I do have a testimony in this restored Gospel and in the organization thereof! I do know that Christ lives and that He is the head of this church as Paul stated being the cornerstone! I know its all true and that one point or another all will come to know that for themselves! I am grateful for your prayers and fasts in my behalf and on the behalf of all the missionaries! and as well you all are in my prayers always!!! Have a great week!!! Talk with ya next week!!!

All my love,

Elder Lawter

No letter this week...

...but there are pictures!!

So Hardcore

La Familia Munoz 

Howdy everyone!

How's everyone doin? It's been really nice down here mid 70's sunny lot's of work goin on...can't complain. We actually have transfers tomorrow so I found out that I'll be staying another one here with my companion...so I don't want to jynx it but it's looking like I'll end my mission here with Elder Hill but I don't wanna count the chickens before they hatch....but it's looking that way. Then again I could be way off...there's going to be some changes soon in the mission so who knows what all will be goin on but wherever with whoever it's all the Lord's work and it's all the same...bringing people unto Christ.

I was reading something interesting a few days ago in the Bible Dictionary about faith. And I've thought a lot of times about what faith really means to someone and I can generally explain it but a specific answer for a specific person is almost impossible to explain but here's what stood out to me in the Bible Dictionary it said that: Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fullness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14-17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith." It's the last part that sticks out to me is that Miracles don't produce faith but rather it's our obedience and righteousness to all that God has commanded. And to think of what He's commanded us; obey the commandments for one, read the scriptures, go to church, pray always, share the testimony that you have.....things that definitely put our faith on the line to let it grow and that faith leads to a relationship, and that relationship leads to happiness...it's all God's plan for us and that's what we're sharing and through those things I know you'll be blessed!

Love Much,

Elder Lawter

Awesome weekend!

Hello Everyone,

So what a good weekends it's been! You can put your money on having a good weekend with the General Authorities....they for sure didn't disappoint. Then today we actually went to the temple so it's been just a Spirit packed month already and then later on at the end of the month we're going to get the privilege as a mission and a stake here in Sweetwater to meet 2 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I think I'm actually suppose to keep that a little hush hush so I'll let you all know who they at the end of the month but once again...it shouldn't disappoint....

But it's been kind of the realization that I had this weekend and that I usually have every time I get the chance to listen to General Conference, meet a General Authority, or just read in the Ensign that these really are men called of God and are leading His church. It's amazing for me to think of how much God truly does care about us so He sends us messages in many ways. In the scriptures we read of angels being sent to give certain and most important messages but as well as Heavenly angels and messengers are sent, there are earthly messengers sent from God to help us, to guide us, and to lead and direct us. Now these people can be family, friends, people we don't even know that are sent from God to cross our path and to bless us but as well He sends His Prophets to lead His children and to direct the church. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) and as well God's church is... "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Ephesians 2:20) Where would His church be without a Prophet and Apostles guiding it with His authority? A better question where would His children be with out the guidance of someone who receives direct revelation from God? They would be lost just as the people were when they rejected Noah, Moses, Christ Himself, and many others. So just as God spoke to Noah and Moses and Abraham...He speaks today to His Prophet and Apostles to guide the whole world. It's a bold statement to claim there is a Prophet today leading the same yet restored church that Jesus Christ set-up on the earth...most people thinks that such things don't exist in these days that all the prophets and apostles died off a little after Christ's time... So why would God just make that exclusive to back during the times of Christ and a little after and before? Like I said before in the times of most trial and struggle would God really leave us helpless and hopeless? I have a hard time believing that and because of that I'm proud of the testimony and blessing that I have in following a modern-day Prophet called of God to lead us and guide the whole world. and this past weekend was just another testimony builder for me. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He leads and guides His church through a Prophet. I know without a doubt that these things are all true and it's my invitation to all to just search it out.....if someone says I have the best chocolate in the world and it's absolutely free would you just take his word for it chow down on that stuff! It might just be the fat kid in me but I'd eat all that I could...they would kick me out and put up refuse servicee to this guy at that chocolate buffet..it's the same principle what I'm telling you. I'm in the Lord's service preaching the most important thing anyone will ever hear and my invitation is to just try out for yourself...study it, learn of it and see if what I'm telling you is true. I know that as you do diligently that you'll find out for yourself that it's true.... "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)... The blessings are innumerable but it takes the faith and the diligence to find it out... I hope that everyone can find the Lord and his truth and when they do they will see the light and all the blessings that come as they have in my life! as all you are blessings to me and I love you soo much!!! Take care and have a good week!!!

Much Love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Love from Southern California

How's it goin!?

Hope all is well with everyone back at home. Things have been pretty good

here workin up a storm. We have two guys with a date to be baptized right

now but with one I think that he got anti-ed so he's kind of ify on it right

now and then we passed by our other guy and his mom told us that we went to

jail just a few days ago. The background of this guy is he comes from a not

so good home...lots of drinking, drugs, fighting, yelling, cussing...just a

place where it's impossible for the Spirit to dwell and that's scared us a

lot lately but when we passed by yesterday his mom kind of gave us a fishy

story of how they went to church then he was just reading his Bible then the

cops came picked him up but she wasn't really sure where they went ha...and

the sad part is I don't think she really even cared. So we got on the phone

called the police department then the county jail and sure enough he got

locked in the slammer for vandalism...FOR ALL THINGS!!! VANDALISM!!! but his

court date is tomorrow so we'll find out the verdict and where to go from

here but it's amazing the work of Lucifer on somebody that it trying to

better their life and to just get closer and closer to God. It's

discouraging for me to even see it time and again and I've for sure seen it

a lot but I'm always drawn back to the Prophet Helaman and the words which

he spoke to his sons in the Book of Mormon... "And now, my sons, remember,

remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of

God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send

forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his

hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over

you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the

rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation

whereon if men build they cannot fall." How fitting of a scripture for the

time that we're entering into next month. The Holy week coming up and this

Easter season. For..."it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ,

the Son of God, that ye *must *build your foundation..." I'm not saying that

people who go through stuff like that don't have a sure foundation in

Christ but its the mighty storms winds that get thrown our way to beat us

off the path. So we're not exempt from trails, temptations, and other things

in our lives but the promise is..is that when those difficult time pass in

our lives we can find out that God has never been closer but it's that faith

and sure foundation that we need to have in Him and His Son that will

prevent us from falling. And I think that's what the Easter season is all

about...coming closer to our Savior and committing ourselves to be a better

disciple of Him. The price of discipleship isn't easy but it is worth it and

with that faith and testimony we will be lead to what is right and what is

true and then comes the promise that we will never fall.

Love ya!

Elder Ry Law

Hello Spring

Hey everyone,

Welp...how's it going...again? Things are going really good here just tryin to get these Mexicans to keep their commitments...it ain't the easiest thing for some reason but it's our work as Spanish missionaries I guess...so come what may and love it. So I've got a really cool experience that happened to us last week but first I'll fill you in on the new news that's been happening here....nothing new.... ok to the story haha well there's always things that happen every week but it's kind of all the same rejection, accept, rejection, rejection, accept...I think every teenager should go on a mission so that when the hit the dating scene they're already used to rejection haha... until you find the golden one....the one that you've been looking for and weeding through from all your work...that's the one that really matters. So in saying that Elder Hill and I parked the car one evening and just walked so that we could contact people on the street and talk to people because we didn't really have any set appointments so on the way to a house on the other side of our area we talked to a few Hispanics one was about to accept then her devil friend butted in and just wanted to bash against us about the reality of Deity and the argument of the Trinity so that was a no...talked to another lady who invited us back so we got a yes!..then another who said no, then no, no ,no ,no again....then uh....no, ha so you get kind of where our night was goin that night so then we walk by a house that has two like horses for dogs...they're HUGE German Sheppard's that I think purposely just try to scare the crap out of us every time we walk by so we usually walk on the other side of the road haha... but my comp had a feeling to knock the door and little faith Lawter I was like are you crazy!? have you seen the missionary killers that they have inside those gates!? I can only imagine what their owner looks like!!! But he said that he felt it so I was like welp can't really argue with the Spirit so we went and knocked on the door...turns out we're still alive number one but number two..nice guy buuuuuuut it was a no.... ha so we keep walking. And then we were almost to our place that we were heading to and we passed this house and my companion was like I saw a Mexican inside should we go talk to em... you all know what I'm thinkin right now ha I played it all in my head...were gonna walk up to the door since I know spanish and my comp not so much cuz he's really new and still learning I'm gonna try and there's another rejection to chalk up on the board but he's like I feel it inside that we should go knock on the door so once again can't really fight with the promptings of the Spirit so I was like ok let's go.... so we walk up and see a guy standing in the kitchen so I was like hola como esta and he didn't even turn around so I was thinkin in my head haha yup...don't say I didn't tell you so...but we walked to the door and knocked on the door and another guy came and answered and we just said hello but that was it then he left the door open and walked behind the door to the kitchen so we stood there and he came back like 30 seconds later and was like come in come in.... So I was like what the heck!? haha this never happens!! ha but we walk inside and the mom and son are sitting at the kitchen table and they were like the nicest people ever! They offered us food, drinks, pretty much anything so we got to talking and it turns out that the guy that was in the kitchen when we walked up is actually deaf and then they told us that they all actually got in a big fight as a family so when we showed up they just let us in...and so after talkin a little bit bout how important families are to our church and beliefs I asked her "so I'm just curious but why did you just let us in I mean we didn't even say anything you just let us in." and she said we just look at you....and who you're representing....so we talked a little more got an appointment with them tomorrow and they said that they're coming to Church this Sunday. We may get 100 no's in our path in life.... we may have 100 trials before we get to our destination but what makes it all worth it is that one yes and that we arrive to where we're going and that is exactly what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. When it gets too hard...when the road seems never ending...there is help...and there is peace at the end of the journey. The Gospel is a thing of transformation for a person one can become anew through the Gospel of Jesus Christ which Gospel has been restored to the earth today in it's fullness. If you're not a member of it...find it...learn more about it...I promise you that it will open the blessing of Heaven among you more than you can ever comprehend. If you are a member and have steered away from it a bit...return...and never look back again. and if you are a member and are active in the faith...stay.... for it is a blessing of eternity...a blessing that will be with us forever. I have a testimony of it and I know it will bless and change lives at it has mine.....

I love you all like always and rejoice in being a member of His true Church...which church will make one whole.

Have a great week!!!

Love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Hola! Como estan!?

How's everyone been doin!? Sounds like there's been a lot of things goin on in the world right now specifically with Japan and everything. Of course we haven't seen the news or read the papers but there's been a lot of members and investigators tell us about all that's been going on in Japan and it sounds pretty brutal. We got a call from someone this morning it happened and he told us that we were on tsunami alert so that was pretty crazy cant say ive ever been in a tsunami watch...dont think any tsunamis will be comin off smithville lake anytime soon either.... but our prayers from down here are out to them... I don't know a lot of details but it sounds pretty bad and we've been prayin for all those affected.

So on a lighter side things down here are groovy baby!!! ha guess the worst that we got from the earthquake and everything was some good surfin for the bros so lucky them but everything is goin pretty legit right now! We've got someone that we've been workin with for a little bit who has a date to be baptized for conference weeked acutally so it will be pretty legit but a little background on him is he's 22 right now and it just seems like nothin has been goin right  in his life.... he hasn't had any direction really, he's on stuff that he shouldn't be on and it's been his life for around 8 or so years now so it's kind of hard to help somone change when they've just been stuck in a rut for that long but we found him through a less-active family that we reactivated just a few months ago and he's struggled. He hasn't had a purpose to his life and he's just been kind of wandering about no goals in life no nothing but just recently we've talked with him about the journey that we all find ourselves on a journey that's similar to the one of Moses and the children of Israel. They lived as slaves in poverty in the worse conditions to the Phoroah in Egypt till Moses came and said have faith in the Lord and follow me. So they did...they had faith, left everything all followed this Prophet with out looking back who we now know parted the Red Sea helped the people cross into the new land the promised land or in other words a new life but it still wasnt easy they went to a desert for 40 years being prepared by the Lord and passing their trails and struggles till they finally ended up in Israel and the promised land. And we've told him this that he's in egypt right now and that the gospel is here to take him to the other side...it still won't be easy but when we all get to where were goin it'll sure be worth and he's on that path. So we all find ourselves captive in Egypt sometimes to whatever thing but it's the faith that we need to have to follow our savior into the promised and for sure the better land. May we all find that path, stick to it, and never let go!

Love,

Elder Ry Law

Less than 4!!!!!!!!!!!!

Howdy everyone!

How's it goin!? Things are going really good here just lots and lots of

work! To be honest when we come home at night is my favorite part of the day

cuz I'm just so stinkin tired all the time! We just come home, plan our next

day out, and I'm out! Ha I am soooo tired like 24/7 it seems but it's a good

tired....it's a tired cuz we're workin our hineys off everyday!  My new

companion is actually new too...well everything he's a freshie just got here

to San Diego last week so it's been good to have him and kind of show him

the ropes. We're actually doing a new Pilot program and we're the 1st ones

to do it in Spanish here I think so it's a lot of responsibility and a lot

of things to think of and worry about but it's all for the better...it

really is making us into better missionaries solely for the purpose to bring

more souls unto Christ... it's the cause that drives us and keeps us goin!

Lookin back on the past 20 there have for sure been a lot of up's but

definitely there have been more down's and looking back I think that every

missionary can agree that it's not about the down's that you live for or

even remember but it's the up's that we're workin towards and will take with

us the rest of our lives. I can honestly say that I've been blessed beyond

comprehension, the experience, the trials, the knowledge, the everything

that has happened the past 20 months have been the refiners fire and that's

what we're all going through our whole lives. So look for those

opportunities, be aware of the things in your lives that are truly for the

better and as a result will bring us down to build us up. And if men come

unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness

that they may be humble; and my grace sufficient for all men that

humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me,

and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.

 -Ether 12:27 

Love you all!

Elder Lawter

Bye Bye February!

BURR!!!! IT"S COLD DOWN HERE!!!!!

Who ever said it's always sunny in San Diego is a LIAR!!! ha yea that's snow

on the mountain! not fotoshopped or anything...pure.white.the fluffy

stuff....kind-a like me pure.white.and fluffy as well! Yea it's been on the

chilly and rainy side the past week but I think our rainy season is done for

another year and the 70's temps are back. So the wee bit of snow up in the

mountains was nice for a change. Hope everythings going good back on the

homefront not a lot of huge news here playin hard workin harder but actually

I lied I just remembered about transfers coming up this week....it looks

like my companion's taking off after just one transfer together! Seems like

my fav companions I only stay with for one or two transfers but it's all up

to the Lord so if He says I need someone else then there's no arguments with

that but that's really all the huge news same thing everyday! Sorry this

emails real short but the computers were taking forever to load and stuff

hopefully next week they're runnin better and ive got more time but love

yall have a boss week!!!!

-E.L.

You've Got Mail

Howdy how oh hey,

How's are you!? I'm's good thanks! But really hope everyone's doing good...thawing out little by little. Today we're going to head up to a place called sunset cliffs...so a bbq, sunset, 75 degree weather yeah...it's gonna be legit! Things have been going really well out here! Just flying under the radar hoping I stay here in Bonita! I really do love it here....man I just had a deja vu ha sorry...just wanted to tel yall that haha...but yea it's goin good here and the work is just pressin along! Pray for me that I stay here ha! Other than that there's not a lot of big big news coming from down here. We had some rain..nothing new for you all but for us it's big! and it stinks walking in it all day too! ha but I guess I cant really complain....sunset cliffs isn't gonna disappoint I don't think! So I don't really know what to write today ha sorry..somedays I feel it and somedays not so much, I think not so much today is cuz the dang computers aren't workin and it's tickin me off! ha but ni modo venga lo que venga.....  i guess the thing that has really touched me the most this week was when we went to the temple con La Familia Cornu and one of our investigators the step-son of Hermana Cornu and it was just crazy how strong the Spirit is there! I hope you can open the picture that I attached to the email and just see and feel the shear beauty of the House of God. We have some investigators that we're teaching that the greatest thing in life what they wanna do is get married in the temple. They don't really know anything about the temple but that their family can be sealed and bound together for time and all eternity by being married in the temple and that's all they want is to have the assurance that whatever happens in this life their family will still be together forever. It's one of the greatest blessings that we have is to have the House of the Lord established for us to come closer to Him. That's what we're all striving for and in the end that's where we all want to be is closer to Him with our families. And through the blessings of the temple it is possible. Once again it's one of those tender mercies that we have in our lives and we should take advantage of! Even if you're not a member go to the grounds...feel the spirit that's there and draw nearer to Him.

Lots of love,

Elder Ryan Lawter

More yucky ducky

At La Jolla

Ry got really excited about these seals

"Cheers to the duckies!" 

This is round 2 of eating aborted ducks...gross. 

He said he'll eat one with me when we go back to visit in August. 

I said, "Umm..NO SHANKS!"

Das nasty

Hey everyone!

How's it going!? Things have been really good here! Elder Linnemeyer and I have been working our bums gettin people to do things to progress. Sometimes it's so difficult to have someone that you're teaching and you do sooo much on your part but they do nothing on their part but we've got some investigators that are really searching and really wanting to know! It's amazing to see the power that the Spirit has in the conversion of people. It really isn't us missionaries that do the converting it's the Spirit, it's just a tender mercy from the Lord that we are able to be a mouthpiece and to witness true conversion take place.

We had a baptism that we went to and I spoke in the intermediate about the similar topic of how we as children of our Loving Heavenly Father witness tender mercies from Him each and every day. They really are all around us. Our bodies and health, nature, our family, having work, waking up out of a bed each morning, our families, the opportunity to love and to be loved....whatever it may be we are all witnesses of the work of God, meaning we are all witnesses of Him each and every day and it's those tender mercies that keep us going. For anyone who is struggling, for anyone who is lost or in despair just stop.......listen.....watch.....smell.....touch......taste...... this life is to be enjoyed...not endured. In the beginning we knew it would not be easy. We knew we were going into a hostile environment where we would be tempted, where we would be tried, a place where heartache would be present but we had faith to come here and that's the faith we need to make it through. Just take a second out of the day and look around it's amazing how present God really is and how much He really does love us! It makes sense that a Father would want His children to succeed and so He's given us all the tools necessary for our journey back home. Today we are soooo blessed to have the same church that Jesus Christ Himself established on the earth restored and re-established in it's fullness. We are soooo blessed to have that same Priesthood authority that He gave to His apostles, the same authority that all the Prophets have had. And we are soooo blessed to have a living-day prophet leading and guiding us today. It just doesn't make sense to me that God would call Prophets and Apostles in the times before, during, and a little after Christ and not call Prophets and Apostles when we needed them the most. The world is the worst it's ever seen and oh how we need men called of God to be mouthpieces for Him and to direct us and gives us the safety and security that we need. The Heavens really are opened and God really is still there. A man came up to me a few days ago and asked me "how can you possibly believe in miracles?" and I told him "how can you possibly not? just look around and tell me you don't see any miracles"......

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalms 46:10

If we just take a few and be still we will truly know the reality of God and all the tender mercies that we have in our lives....

As you all being my tender mercies I am grateful to have your love and your support! I love you all and pray for the best to ya! Have a good week!!!

Much love,

Elder Ryan Lawter