I'm Going To The Temple!

Sorry yall, my Pday got changed because I'm going to the temple! So this is from a week ago!

    I'm so excited I can go to the temple! I'm so excited to do that, I haven't gone since I received my endowment. Anyway into this week...

   This last week I went on exchanges with the trio in the district. It went great! We found a kid named Bryson haha. He was like dude we're like the same and then went on to explain that he's been expelled for death threats and the cops showed up to his house the other day to question him hahaha. And he's a completely different race so hey kinda close I guess. 

   We had a lesson with Edith and Sandra, talked about obedience, praying often and baptism. They're at an interesting point. We've taught them almost everything a few times, and they understand it very well. They told us they just need to read and pray and they'll decide in time. They said it's difficult because everyone in their family is Catholic. We'll see it'll be interesting.

   One of our inactive members, Ismael, finally reached out to us and said he wants to start coming back. He's going through a divorce, and struggling with depression. He turned to cigarettes for a few days to deal with it. We had a powerful conversation about the power of the Book of mormon in overcoming temptation, trials and depression. It was also great, because I had rough patch on my mission and I was able to relate with help and talk to him about that. After we took his cigarettes haha and then he came to church on Sunday! It was great.

   We had a great lesson with our friend Tyler about the Gospel and one of our members was there. It went so well. She was able to explain her process as a convert, and it was perfect it was exactly what Tyler needed to hear!

   Easter Sunday was so dang good. Ismael came to church and was in tears. We sang the best Easter Hymns haha. As I was studying and preparing for Easter this week, I read through the accounts of the final week of the Saviors life in each of the gospels. I was asking in my prayers to get a deeper understanding of His Resurrection. As I read through, the main thing that stuck out to me was The Apostles reactions and emotions. They were waiting for Christ their whole life to deliver them from their misery. They walked with Him and were so excited, but then he dies. And not only that, they all left him in his final and hardest moments. I'm sure they felt confused, hurt, sad, guilty and a whole string of emotions. Then, when Mary Magdalene told them that He Lives, imagine the joy they were filled with. Because He lives, they didn't need to feel guilty anymore, or sad or confused. It's the same with us! Because He lives, we can he free of confusion, guilt, sadness and any pains. I know that He lives and loves us all!

   On Sunday, we also had a fun miracle. Elder Jensen and I were out street contacting and these 4 kids had water guns and water balloons. They asked if they could throw one, and I said "sure if you give me one first!" So that turned into a full blown 20 minute water balloon fight, with me and Elder Jensen vs 4 10 year olds. It was an intense battle but I believe that Elder Jensen and I definitely won. Only got nailed a few times in the leg and chest haha. But, during the fight we saw their mom watching and laughing and I had the thought "after go talk to her". So we did and it was great! She immediately let us in, and we shared some verses from the book of mormon and taught her about what it is. She loved it! And she told that she has many problems in her life, and will definitely read it if this will help her. She then proceeded to give us her number, and told us when to come back. It was great! The lord blesses us everyday!

   I love yall! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Ryan