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.

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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