Ryan's Letter Will Be Here on Wednesday

Ryan emailed us this morning and said he didn't have time to send his weekly post for the blog. He said something about receiving lots of emails from Barry and me that he needed to answer and ran out of time. Sorry about that! I'll post his letter as soon as we receive it on Wednesday. Bridgette

I LOVE MY WARD!

October 22, 2007

I LOVE my ward! They are all so amazing and unique! Our bishop and his counselors are all so funny, but they are so spiritual as well. It’s really fun seeing the way they react with all of the ward members. There are a lot of returned missionaries in our ward. They are so fun! And they give us a huge supply of spiritually prepared members to bring to teaching appointments.

Well, we’re off to have our last preparation day with Elder Kennah, he is going to be a zone leader in Wilmington. Sorry this email is so short this week! I hope you are all doing well.

Love,

Elder Walters

Laurel Rose Gray was Baptized!

October 15, 2007

Laurel Rose Gray was baptized on Saturday! She is simply amazing. She has such a bright smile, people just feel happy and welcome around her. She has had a lot of support from the members at Duke, from rides to family home evening to scripture study and prayer. Her roommate, Rebecca, has been a huge support to her, beginning when she invited her to come to church two months ago. When I met her then, I could just tell she would join the Church; a lot of people in the ward thought she was already a member! She is so sweet and supportive to everyone. The Gospel will help her so much in her life, but a lot of people have already realized how much she will help the members of the Church as well!

She asked me to confirm the Gift of the Holy Ghost on her yesterday, what an experience! I felt very strong promptings to say certain things and she was so sincere in thanking me and Elder Kennah and Elder Johnson. What an opportunity it is to teach the Gospel and bear the Priesthood! It is all about service. It’s tough at times, but the rewards, meaning the happiness and understanding that come into people’s lives as they accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, far outweigh the difficulties. This becomes clearer as we read the scriptures, ponder about what the Lord is trying to tell us individually, pray honestly and apply what we know and feel is right! It is these four simple steps that have pulled me through the most difficult times of my life, both in the last few years, and the last few weeks. There is a sense of peace and love that will often only come as we read the scriptures and honestly pray. Studying the scriptures and praying, really praying, pleading, thanking, and inquiring of the Lord, got me through the tough times, and I know they will do the same for all of us if we just put in the effort!

I hope you are all doing well! Thank you SO MUCH for your support!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simply and sweetly true!

Love, Elder Walters

General Conference

October 8, 2007

Wow! What a great weekend! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed General Conference as much! As I noticed how much the subjects applied directly to me and this stage of my life, I began to realize how inspired these men truly are. More important than the exact words, I felt the Spirit show me what I could do to be happier and more successful in my life.

During a few of the talks, I realized that I was being given exactly what I needed! When Elder Oaks said the first line of his talk, about time management, I just looked up at the projector with my eyes wide open. I realized that his remarks, and others, were exactly what I needed to be happy and successful. I knew because of how I felt that what they were saying was true, and was meant for me.How amazing, to see revelation at work, through the inspired selection of new church leaders.

President Eyring’s talks were great. It’s interesting that even in his being called as a member of the First Presidency, he feels overwhelmed or inadequate. Maybe feelings of inadequacy are a reminder of how important our role is to the Lord, and how much we need Him, whatever our role may be.

We are at Duke University library right now, emailing our families and loved ones. We just left the special collections and rare book section, and had the chance to look at, touch and read from a first edition copy of the Book of Mormon. The librarian said it’s a very popular item to be requested, as the five of us missionaries watched excitedly/giddily as she went to retrieve the book. I believe President Hinckley said that a similar copy recently sold for over one hundred thousand dollars.

Something odd struck me though, as I turned the yellowing pages. What is so special about this book, verses the two dollar copy, I got at the BYU Bookstore? Nothing! They are both the same! The older is in a large, paragraph format, while the new is divided into verses, but truly, is there any real difference? Why is the copy I have sitting on my bookshelf any less important than a first edition copy? The real power of the Book of Mormon is found in every copy.

The Book of Mormon is, in a word, amazing. Joseph Smith said something like “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “There is a power within the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.” I know that is so true! This book is such a gift, reading it has made me happy during the darkest moments of my life! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and has been restored, evidence of that is found as we study the Book of Mormon, willing to act on the sweet impressions the Holy Ghost gives us!

I am so thankful for your love, support and letters,

Elder Walters

When upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

P.S. Laurel is getting baptized on Saturday, the 13th of October! I’ll tell you all about it in a week!

Teaching the Gospel at Duke

October 1, 2007

Well, we had another awesome week. I am beginning to see what an amazing ward I have been assigned to. We are teaching Laurel, a freshman at Duke. Her roommate is a member from Salt Lake, Rebecca. I guess they both just clicked from the beginning, they are so fun together! We can’t help but laugh with them!

Rebecca invited Laurel to church the first week of school, and they haven’t missed since. The two of them and other members at Duke even read the scriptures and pray every night! We could not ask for a better teaching opportunity! When we teach, Rebecca often shares scriptures and her testimony about what we are teaching, it is SO helpful to have her!

I’ve really grown to love our ward here. There are so many awesome members, and we love when they help us out!!! There is a slight rivalry between the UNC and Duke students that is so fun to watch. As a missionary to both, I’d better get a Blue Devils shirt to wear along with my Tar Heel hat on P-Days.

There is only one freshman with a car at Duke, so William Howard (don’t call him Howie) Barlow, or as he likes to be known, Your Liege Lord Bill, picks up all the Duke Freshman girls in his golden Mercedes and takes them to church.

Bill is the man! He’s super smart, has this awesome Persian rug in his dorm and classical music playing, is looking for a publisher for his novel, and at 17 years old, says he has turned off that part of his brain that likes girls until he gets home from his mission and has finished his second year of law school.

Bill and Rebecca helped us teach Laurel about prophets and apostles. I was a little nervous when Yasser, another Duke freshman joined us. But the spirit was really, really strong in the lesson, it was so much fun to teach and then watch Elder Bednar’s talk, “Ye Must Be Born Again” the parable of the pickle, all about true conversion.

It was so fun to get to know Yasser, he was asking a lot of questions, like how do Prophets know what God wants us to know, and I had him read 1 Nephi 22:2, which says the Spirit tells prophets all things.I learned about a lot of the similarities between Islam and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yasser was really interested to learn that the Holy Ghost can be felt by all people, not just members of Christ’s church, and that the Spirit is how we can know the truth of all things.

Bishop Condie asked me to speak in church yesterday. I love preparing for talks because I learn a ton and feel the Spirit. For about 25 minutes I spoke on the blessing of adversity and how attitude, service and eternal families can help us endure it well.

I am so excited for General Conference! What an amazing blessing we have to be able to watch and listen to a Prophet of God, Apostles and other church leaders! I know that if we prepare ourselves for Conference, it will bless us, help us with our problems and let us feel Heavenly Father’s love for us.Thanks for all of your support and letters!

Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Dr. Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

David's Baptism

HI! We had the awesome privilege to be part of David’s baptism on Saturday. He was introduced to the church by his girlfriend, Beth, a member of the singles ward, our ward. Elder Kennah, Elder Johnson and I began to teach David about a month ago and he accepted an invitation to be baptized about three weeks ago, but I wanted to wait until it happened to write about it!

He is awesome, he’s super nice and outgoing, and really absorbed the Gospel well. He seems to really understand elements of the Gospel and sees how obedience to them truly will benefit his life. We shared our testimonies and feelings about the Gospel, and it was an awesome experience teaching him. It just felt so right. David asked me if I would speak on the Holy Ghost at his baptism, and said, “I love it when you talk.”

The three of us were really excited as we made arrangements for the baptism. David had asked Elder Kennah to baptize him and Elder Johnson to speak on the 4th Article of Faith. There was great support from the ward, about 40 people, and we were really excited (and nervous) to hear that President and Sister Wallis would be coming as well!

David wanted to share some of his own thoughts before he was baptized. He talked about how thankful he was, for Beth’s role in introducing him to the church, our role in teaching him the Gospel, and the ward’s role in becoming his family and supporting him. He said that the Gospel and his decision to be baptized just felt right. The baptism was awesome. A few years ago David was hit by a car, and now has a really messed up knee, so it was difficult for him to lean back into the water. A stingy baptismal witness, Elder Walters, noticed a hydrophobic elbow and made Elder Kennah baptize David again….and again. The third time was a charm, and it was so good to see the happy look on David’s face as he came up.

After David came back, I spoke on the Holy Ghost and the roles that He can take in our lives. I talked about how the Spirit bares witness of truth through our thoughts and feelings, like how Joseph Smith felt, when he read “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” and when David felt the Spirit softly as we bore our testimonies to him. I also talked about the Holy Ghost’s role as the Comforter, described by Christ in John 14:26-27 and about a moment when I felt that peace shortly after I realized I was paralyzed a year and a half ago, at a time when I would likely have felt anything but peace. I love preparing for talks, as I have a chance to focus and reflect on one aspect of the Gospel. After the baptism, David shook my hand firmly, nodded, and said quietly, “Thank you, sir.” That was probably my favorite part. I know that the Gospel has and will continue to bless his life as he continues to live it, just as it will continue to bless our live as we strive to live the things that we know are true.

Love,
Elder Walters

Elder Dunn Visits Raleigh NC Mission

September 17, 2007

Hi! We had another BUSY week! On Thursday, we had a visit from Elder Dunn of the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy. It was great! We all met him and shook his hand. Then we heard really great talks from President and Sister Wallis and a few missionaries. Elder Dunn then spoke for about forty-five minutes or so. It was really good and he spoke a lot about the importance of worthiness.

I met him afterwards, and we talked about my service as a missionary. He asked if there was anything he could help me out with. He also gave great suggestions and really helped me realize how I could better accomplish my goals. He asked how the work had been going, and I was open in telling him that it had been difficult so far. He said missionary work is always difficult even without extra challenges to master and factors to consider. I told him that I believed missionary work was 1. hard and 2. worth it. He counseled and encouraged me and offered to give me a blessing. I really appreciated that. The blessing was simple and sweet and amazing. I really felt the love that Heavenly Father has for me as Elder Dunn put his hands on my head and spoke as the spirit directed. Mostly, I remember these powerful feelings but he also blessed me with three special things: great strength in my body, the ability to use my disability to my advantage as I preach the Gospel, and the counsel that I should communicate openly and often with my companions and President Wallis.

We also had the opportunity to teach a great message last night about the restoration. It was awesome feeling the spirit direct us on what to say. We were about to start the lesson and invited a young man speaking with our investigator and her friend to hear our message. He really added to the lesson, sharing his testimony of Christ and of God’s love for us. We’re teaching both of them tomorrow, and I’m so excited! I agree with Elder Dunn that teaching is the best part of missionary work, finding is the hardest and baptism will be like the dessert.
Missionary work IS hard, and I know from the blessings that the Gospel has given my life, that it IS worth it.

Love,

Elder Walters

This Really Is The Lord's Work

We've been really busy in Chapel Hill! Sorry about not emailing last week! I was sick last P-day and wasn't able to email. I'm learning a lot out here, both from fun and not-so-fun experiences. This really is the Lord's work. It is not mine. He directs me on what to do and how to do it, and then I just do my best.

I've been really overwhelmed lately, but I'm starting to figure out how I can best help people here come closer to Jesus Christ. It was really hard at first, trying to get to know the ward, and trying to get everyone to like me and trust me.

I have reverted back to one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the last two years...just smile! At everybody! Whether they're smiling at you, frowning at you or telling you to 'go away, there's no soliciting in this neighborhood.' I imagine Jesus Christ responding to all situations with quiet dignity, just smiling kindly at people and respecting their free agency, while doing His best to teach clearly and powerfully. The message we share, His message, is the most important thing anyone can know, yet we must do our best to also respect others' agency and allow the Lord to work with people in His way.

I had a very special experience in realizing the Lord's hand directing His work about a week ago. On Tuesday the 4th, I had a doctor's appointment that I had felt guilty about going to, in that an Elder would need to go with me, and some time would be lost which could have been used some other way. I had hoped to be at the institute or with the Elders, working, doing something I thought I was supposed to be doing. Elder Cannon and I were just headed out of the hospital after an appointment, when a lady saw us, and came up to us. I am so sorry to say this, but I was thinking about the next activity we had planned, that we needed to meet back up with the other missionaries soon, that I needed to stop wasting time at the hospital and get back to work.

I felt so horrible when she said her husband was in the hospital and would really like a priesthood blessing. We got her name, number and hospital room number and asked if we could come by that afternoon and administer a blessing. We learned that the couple had converted about ten years ago, after reluctantly inviting the Elders into their home. She kept saying how thankful she was for them and that she would never forget their names. We talked with them for a while and administered the blessing and left.

The rest of that day, and many times since, I've been thinking about how the Lord's work is just that, HIS work. It is not mine. I do my best to do as He directs.

Love,
Elder Walters

Institute of Religion

The Institute of Religion for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the University of North Carolina was a clubhouse with a swimming pool before the church purchased it. The pool has since been filled in. There are approximately ten acres of grassy area with plenty of room for volleyball and other games. The Institute is about a quarter of a mile from campus and is surrounded by trees. It is very quiet and serene and a great place for students to take a break from their college classes and take an institute class.

Parking and ramped entrance for Ryan into the Institute.

A view of the deck and grassy area from the Chapel.

The Chapel for the Single Adult Ward at UNC.

Barbecue and deck area

Pool table and more seating

Game Area

Classroom for Institute and Sunday School.

Gathering area at the Institute.

When we arrived in North Carolina, Brother Nichols had printed the picture above with Ryan's cousins Madeline, Nathan and Parker Davis and taped it outside of Ryan's institute office. This picture was taken during Ryan's first week at the MTC. Ryan slept in his dorm room each night and spent the day at the MTC. The Davis family was kind enough to help Ryan with some last minute missionary clothing details. THANK YOU!

Elder Walters' office at the Institute of Religion. He has large windows that look over the grassy area behind the Institute.

Shadowood Apartments

I don't know if I've ever taken a picture in the bathroom before but this deserves special attention. Art Quinn, Shadowood's manager, and the assistant manager, Michael, in Ryan's completed bathroom. There is a pedestal sink, a roll-in shower and lots of drawers for storage. Art agreed to completely remodel the bathroom per Barry's plans. Art worked really hard to make sure Ryan had everything he needed. THANK YOU . . . it turned out amazing!

The living room with a woodburning fireplace.

A sneak peak at the washer and dryer (my personal favorite) and the kitchen with the lowered counter top for Ryan. This is not Ryan's actual apartment. Management decided to remodel a different apartment and put in new flooring everywhere, vinyl in the kitchen, a low pile carpet similar to Budge Hall in the living room and bedrooms and tile in Ryan's bathroom.

The Elder's apartment is by the second set of stairs.

The sign outside the office at Shadowood reads, "The place for serious minded students." It is very quiet on the apartment grounds, maybe its the dense trees that surround the complex and maybe its because many of the students were home for summer break.

Behind The Scenes

Behind every great mission, are service missionary couples. Pictures above are Brother and Sister Gunnell on the left and Brother Nichols on the right. The Gunnells coordinate approximately 70 apartment leases, coordinate moves and maintain 60 cars for the 150 to 170 missionaries serving in the Raleigh North Carolina Mission. Brother Nichols is the Institute Director as well as working with early morning seminary classes in the area. Gunnells helped us get settled into Ryan's apartment with the other two Elders. They are wonderful, hardworking people!

Elder Walters' New Email Address

Missionaries usually set up a new email account when they begin serving their missions. Ryan wanted me to let you know his new address will be elderrjwalters@myldsmail.net.

He still prefers letters, of any kind, to be mailed to:

Elder Ryan Jordan Walters
106 Shadowood Drive, Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Thank you! Bridgette

August 27, 2007

Hi! North Carolina is awesome. It's really hot and humid, too, but I spend a lot of time inside. I don't think I've ever appreciated air conditioning this much! The exhausted looks on our faces gives us a sympathy factor when talking to people!

Thank you for your letters! They mean a lot to me! There's a scripture in Proverbs 25:25, I think, that shows how I feel! Check it out! I have little time for email, but there is more time available for letters! Thank you!

My companions are great. Elder Kennah, said Ken A, is from Layton, Utah, has served 19 months, 5 in Raleigh and is hoping not to be transferred in a week! He loves the singles ward and the campus area and knows a lot of the people at church and on campus. He also enjoys when we come back to the apartment for lunch, so he can eat his cereal while wearing his big, gold rimmed sunglasses, Chapel Hill jersey, and Burger King crown. He isn't afraid at all to talk to people and is awesome at connecting with people during discussions. He has a great sense of humor.

Elder Johnson is from Branson, Missouri, and was in the MTC at the same time I was. He worked in Branson as a lights specialist for shows and then got into real estate. He likes talking with people and is really friendly with everybody. Last night the Elders tried out my wheelchair. Everything was going great until we took off the wheelie bars so we could do wheelies better. Elder Johnson went up to do a wheelie and ended up going over backwards on his head with his legs up in the air, and the wheelchair now sitting on him. I laughed until it hurt and I cried.

The institute building and surrounding ten acres are owned by the church. It's a quarter mile from campus' east side, and is an ideal place to teach the discussions, or for students to take a break from school. Half of the building is the chapel, where the single's ward, our ward, meets. In the institute side of the building there are a ton of fun things to do, foosball, pool, ping-pong, comfy places to do homework and a kitchen. There is also a basement with three classrooms, and a ramp I can use outside to get to it.

Brother Nichols is the Institute Director; he's over seminary and five other buildings. He has a great sense of humor, and really tries to connect with the students. I have enjoyed helping him and will do so about thirty hours every week. Institute starts on Thursday, with about 5 classes, including a class I'll teach about the discussions, and mission preparation.

Sister Morris is the executive secretary at institute and helps me out a ton. She's a mother of six kids, and has found another...me. I really appreciate her help and her ability to tell when I need to go take a nap, go eat lunch or go take a break.

President and Sister Wallis have been really great and helpful. Our zone went to the temple with them last week, it was awesome. Sister W. gave me a bunch of Montgomery Inn barbecue sauce, my favorite! I drank the first bottle and used the second on my cereal. Thanks, Aunt Nan! President asked me to speak at zone conference on Wednesday about my accident and since. I'm nervous, and will need to find some time to prepare!

I really appreciate letters, long, short, fat, skinny, on paper, brass plates, anything!
Thank you so much for your support and Love,

Elder Walters

"Dire" Request for Letters

Well, it's going great! My companions are awesome and so is President Wallis. I'm getting to know everyone in the singles ward, our ward, and I'm figuring out how I could be most effective through regular missionary work and CES work.

Please send letters! I have 45 minutes to email and read emails, and it's tough to fit in just typing a letter and sending pictures in that amount of time. I would like to spend the short time I have telling you about my experiences here. Hopefully next week's email will be longer!

Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC
27514

Love,
Elder Walters

Nieces and Nephews

Almost nieces and nephews, cousin Mercy with her husband Gregg and children, Taryn and James. The Tucker family will be returning to the Dominican Republic the end of August to begin their second year as missionaries for their church. They have a fascinating blog you can follow at "tuckers4.blogspot.com".

In the midst of packing for Ryan's mission, Kaitlyn and Tate

are practicing for the school musical tryouts.

Missionary Training Center

Elder Walters outside of the MTC on July 11, 2007.

Elder Walters with the MTC President, President Boone.

August 15, 2007

Elder Johnson, Elder Walters and Elder Kennah dropping Barry and me off at the Raleigh/Durham airport to catch our flight home. We had Ryan's van lift serviced in Colorado, Missouri and again in North Carolina . . . we are keeping our fingers crossed that it is fixed but only time will tell. It was over 100 degrees the day we left . . . thank goodness for air conditioning!

We know these Elder will accomplish great service with the Lord's help.

Ryan and Kaitlyn

We found a great thin crust pizza place called Brixx in Chapel Hill. Kaitlyn and Ryan are "enjoying" each other after dinner.

Ryan's Dream Comes True!

Elder Walters and his Stake President, President Milton,

who set him apart as a full-time service missionary.

Elder Walters' First Companionship

Elder Johnson, Elder Walters and Elder Kennah

August 12, 2007

Barry and Bridgette, Elder Walters, and President and Sister Wallis, following Ryan being set apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Move In Day!

Elder Johnson, Elder Ames, Elder Cannon, Elder Kennah and Elder Walters

August 17, 2007

Ryan, Barry, Kaitlyn and I arrived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 11th, after driving cross country in Ryan's van. Elders Johnson and Kennah live with Elder Walters and Elders Cannon and Ames live in a one bedroom apartment in the same complex.

Ryan told me before we left that he REALLY likes letters. Following is his address. Until he gets his LDS Mail account opened he is using his gmail account which is Ryanjwalters@gmail.com.


Elder Ryan J. Walters
106 Shadowood Drive, Apartment D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Hey! Hey! Hey! It's P-Day!

July 25, 2007

Holy Guacamole! I only have 4 more days in the MTC! As I learn more about Christ, I learn so much about how to become a better missionary! He was so amazing in more ways than any of us could ever imagine! Example: no matter how good we are as missionaries, some will reject our message. Christ was the perfect missionary! Still, His message was rejected! Our job is to do as He did, to explain the truth of the Gospel and offer it to everyone! How willing God is to give us our agency, even if it means that we choose to reject Him and the happiness He offers us! He lets us make mistakes over and over again!

2 Ne. 2: 21

21 And the days of the children of ^a men were prolonged, according to the ^bwill of God, that they might ^c repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of ^d probation, and their time was lengthened

How thankful I am that I have been given a time and opportunity to turn to Heavenly Father! How thankful I am that I can invite others to do the same! If there are two things that I've learned about missionary work, it's that it is 1 true, 2 work! Everything points to the truth and the necessity of the Gospel!

Alma 30:44 all things denote there is a God; yea, even the ^b earth, and ^call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its ^dmotion, yea, and also all the ^e planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

Moses 6:63 all things are created and made to ^b bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.

I am so thankful for the Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ! What a great deal I owe my Heavenly Father! Even if I were a perfect missionary I would not be worthy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The amazing thing is, He offers it to me anyway! All he asks is that we repent and come unto Him!

Mosiah 2: 21

21 I say unto you that if ye should ^a serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is ^bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you ^cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own ^d will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ^e whole souls yet ye would be ^f unprofitable servants.

I'm so thankful for this opportunity I have to serve! I love you all very much!

Elder Walters

North Carolina, Here We Come!

All Is Well in the MTC!

July 20, 2007

I wrote the attached epistle on our prep day. You don't have to read all of it. I hope you are all well! I can't believe the MTC is mostly over!

Elder Walters

Hello!

I have loved my first week at the Missionary Training Center! My favorite part is feeling the spirit so much. I feel it both when I learn from others and when my companion and I teach. I am most convinced of the truthfulness of Christ’s Gospel when the spirit testifies of it through a simple, peaceful feeling. It just feels right.

My least favorite part, and it is a small thing, is feeling tired. It’s mostly an obedience thing: if I try to get to bed by 10:30 pm, then 6:30 am doesn’t seem to come around so early. I love that I am totally focused on one thing-missionary work. My time here feels so productive! I am starting to see more of the importance of sharing the Gospel.

1. Mosiah 28: 3

3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not ^abear that any human ^bsoul should ^cperish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure ^dendless torment did cause them to quake and ^etremble.

I would LOVE to share just a few of the stories and scriptures and lessons that have impressed me over the last week. Some are funny, some are serious. Enjoy!

Wednesday July 11^th

1. This scripture focuses on the need for missionaries to focus solely on missionary work. This is when Christ calls Peter and his brother, Andrew to be His apostles.

Matt. 4 19 And he saith unto them, ^aFollow me, and I will make you ^bfishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and ^afollowed him.

I love the word straightway! They had no reservations! They realized the importance of the Savior’s message and gave it everything they had, forsaking, or putting on hold, everything else!

2. President Boone, the MTC President has a great sense of humor. He is serious most of the time-it makes his jokes even better. I’ll paraphrase his advice for missionaries with girlfriends waiting for them.

There is only one ay to know if your girlfriend will wait for two years while you’re on your mission. Take her to the temple, and holding her hand, circle the temple three times. Then, looking up at the angel Moroni, ask, “Will she be true?” If Moroni blows his trumpet, she’ll wait for you.

He also encouraged us to call each other Elders, not guys or dudes. “The guys are at home…dating your girlfriends.”

Thursday July 12^th

1. Brother Taylor taught us about having enthusiasm for the work. He encouraged us to smile as we served. Is there a simpler, more effective way to represent Jesus Christ? We learned that the word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word ethios, “God within us.”

Friday July 13^th

1. We learned from Brother Jarman that the reason we study isn’t for our benefit, it’s for the benefit of our investigators. Personal study, companion study and zone conferences are all meant to help answer our investigators’ questions and concerns. It really puts into perspective just how important my study time at the MTC is for those I teach.

Saturday July 14^th

1. Learning about the Restoration made me realize how awesome it is to be alive in these days, even greater to be a missionary! God gave Adam, the very first prophet, the Priesthood and Gospel. Over time, Adam’s posterity rejected the Gospel, and the Lord had to take the Priesthood from the wicked.

D&C 121: 36 The ^arights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven cannot be ^bcontrolled nor handled only upon the ^cprinciples of righteousness.

Throughout time, Heavenly Father reached out to us in love! He gave us prophets and the priesthood again! When we had a prophet and the priesthood, it was a dispensation. When the world was to wicked, it was an apostasy. We are so blessed to live in the very last dispensation! We have had 15 consecutive prophets and the priesthood for over 150 years! We have the opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ’s Gospel than most people on earth have ever known! What a blessing and responsibility to learn and share it!!!

Sunday July 15^th

1. Jacob 2:8 describes why I believe so many missionaries have come to the MTC, somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000.

8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing ^aword of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

I love that scripture! There is one thing that can heal all wounds, physical and spiritual! It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

2. President Boone shared the importance of writing home. One of his sons wrote very little, on the back of one postcard he wrote, “All is well in Argentina. The Gospel’s true. Love, Elder Boone.” When his daughter served, she didn’t write letters… she wrote “epistles.” One was sixteen pages long. He shared one experience about his last son, who had been writing every week. One week he didn’t write, and Sister Boone got really worried. The next week, no letter, and Sister Boone was going to call the mission president. She was sure he was in a ditch or hospital or something. On the third week, finally an envelope came with three letters inside and a post-it-note. It read: “I saved two stamps!” Sister Boone wrote him a long letter that week.

Monday July 16^th

1. This was a great day. I felt the spirit strongly and often as I studied the scriptures and Preach My Gospel and as our teachers shared their insight, particularly on discouragement and how to overcome it. Brother Heileman converted at college and soon after, he served a mission. He pointed something out that really got me thinking. In the pre-existence we chose to accept Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s plan. We were to come to earth to be tested, to learn the Gospel again from scratch through the power of the Holy Ghost. We, the 2/3 part, put all of our trust in the Savior, that he would do as He had promised, that is to take upon Himself not only our sins and guilt, but our sicknesses, infirmities and troubles, that He would better know how to succor or help us. We knew that this plan meant that some of us would not make it back into God’s presence! How DAUNTING this plan must have been! We were willing to risk all for the chance that we might become like God! We had faith that the Jesus Chist would do His part, and we had confidence that we could do our part! That is what distinguishes us from the 1/3 that followed Satan! They lacked faith in Jesus Christ and confidence in themselves! As a result, they are trying to destroy in us the attributes that they never had-faith in Christ and confidence in ourselves! Knowing this truth puts difficult circumstances into perspective. Sure they’re hard, but what a great opportunity to prove ourselves to Heavenly Father! We each have the power within us to overcome, all it takes is faith and confidence!

Tuesday 17^th

1. President Hinckley said “Every investigator worthy of baptism becomes a convert worthy of saving.” I love that statement! We have such a responsibility not only to help others receive one of the first ordinances of the Gospel, but to also help new and old converts stay involved in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also said each new member needs three things; a friend, a responsibility, and the nourishing word of God.

Wednesday 18^th

I can’t believe that I’ve been here over a week! There’s a scripture in the Book of Mormon that says something like, even if you labor all of your days serving the Lord, you are still so indebted to Him. He has done so much for us, and asks so little in return! Well, I’ve got to roll! This Gospel is so, so true and wonderful!

Love,

Elder Walters

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends!

Catching On, Slowly But Surely!

July 14, 2007

Dear Loved Ones,

I am so busy at the MTC! I love it! Even the food is great! Way better than BYU's cafeteria, maybe because I'm so hungry. I Iove the spirit here. It feels so different when I go back to Helaman Halls to sleep. People are very nice at BYU, but it makes me realize what a great opportunity the MTC is. It's an opportunity to devote all your time to learning how to be better invite others to Jesus Christ. I had a better day today, I wasn't as tired, and our companionship is feeling a lot stronger on Lesson One. We are getting better at teaching from our hearts and using the spirit to prompt us on what to say. The more I learn about the Gospel and in particular the Atonement, the more I want to share it with others. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Elder Walters

Letters From The Field

As promised, we have started posting to Ryan's blog again. Following is the first email he sent to us after entering the MTC on July 11th. Ryan will be at the MTC for three weeks before leaving for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he will be serving with Brother Nichols at the Institute of Religion. Barry and I will drive with Ryan in his Toyota Sienna to North Carolina where he will be serving a service mission there for a year (with two possible six month extensions), health permitting.

I'll also post pictures from the last few months to catch you up on what's been going on in Ryan's life.

Our gratitude and love to all of you who have made this experience possible!

Bridgette and Barry

July 12, 2007

I had a great experience at the MTC today! I was really nervous and really excited going in today, but it's now almost all excitement! I was so, so hot, all day long-that suit and ninety degree weather don't go well together! I am excited to work on just being a better missionary, and I don't see how I will have a ton of time for everything else while in the MTC I've only got 18 more days at the MTC, I'd better make the most of them. I'd better get to bed-if I want to be there for the first lesson I need to wake up in six hours-yikes! I love you all very much. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Elder Walters

Ryan's Contact Information - 9.12.06

Ryan Jordan Walters

2002 Budge Hall

Provo, Utah 84604

Cell Number: 303.350.7279

Email: Ryanjordanwalters@gmail.com

Blogspot: Ryanjwalters.blogspot.com

September 12, 2006

September 12, 2006

Dear Friends and Family,

A week from today I’ll be leaving Provo to return to Denver. Remembering how hard it was to leave Whitney, Tyler and Hayley at college, I can only imagine there will be lots of tears. Tears of sadness knowing how much I will miss Ryan and not being able to see him on a daily basis. Also, tears of joy when I think about what Ryan has been able to overcome and the independence he is now experiencing. Given his current circumstances, I can’t imagine a better place for him.

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Ryan moved into his room at Budge Hall and he started school on Tuesday, September 5^th. He received his computer and printer yesterday which we are all thrilled about. He is loving his college experience which I’m sure he will tell you about when he takes over blogging.

Besides school and physical therapy, we’ve been able to meet up with old friends who have moved here from Chicago and Denver. My sister, Shari, and her son, Marc, went to Park City with us a couple of Sundays ago. We also got together at Marv Calls with Byron and Nancy Jackson, Mary and Dave Roskelley, and Jan and Bruce Smith. I was also able to see Julie Oldham for a short visit while Ryan was at Neuroworx.

Last weekend Granny and Grampa were in Salt Lake. They treated us to Rodizio Grill with Alisha and Jacob’s family. It was a fun, relaxing evening not to mention really good food! We always love the time we can spend with Granny and Grampa.

On Saturday, Ryan went to the BYU football game and said it was a lot of fun. He gets awesome seats! Alisha, Riley, Mason and I went to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Pointe. They were amazing!

On Sunday, we went to Stake Conference at the Marriott Center. It was like going to General Conference for me! President Samuelson, Elder Wirthlin, and President Monson spoke. Elder Wirthlin talked about adversity and said that people often ask, “why me?” when something tragic happens when they need to be asking “what’s next?” Again I was reminded of where Ryan is now and grateful he choose to move forward following his accident by starting college and continuing with physical therapy.

After conference on Sunday, we had about sixteen students over for lunch from our wards in Colorado. It was great to have our apartment filled with talking and laughter. What a wonderful group of kids!

On Sunday evening, I was able to reconnect with some friends from the Buffalo Grove Ward, Greg and Trish Zippi, at their home in Alpine. Hayley was a nanny for their four beautiful daughters and baby James shortly before we left Illinois. Now, Elizabeth is leaving for a Spanish speaking mission in California and Emily is at Helaman Halls with Ryan. It was great to also see Brian and Andrew Clement, Jana and Nathan Davis, Ann Taylor, James Embree and the Swartwood family.

In their kitchen, Trish had some greeting cards hung up called “Quoteables,” I would like to share them with you.

Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. –Babe Ruth

If you are going through hell, keep going.

The time to repair the roof is while the sun is still shining. – JFK

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet . . . – Roger Miller

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

In the long run, we only hit what we aim at. – Thoreau

Leap and the net will appear.

Everything happens for a reason. – American Proverb

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. – Albert Einstein

Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Never, never, never give up.

I’m always doing things I can’t do, that’s how I get to do them. – Picasso

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. Theodore Roosevelt

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Emerson

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. – Martin Luther

I’m grateful to have been able to write my feelings over the last eight months and share them with you. Thank you again for your love and support.

Love,

Bridgette

The hallway coming into Ryan's room from the mezzanine area outside of his room. Ry's room is especially big and he shares a bathroom with one other student, Mike, who is also a quad. The bathroom is inbetween Mike's and Ryan's rooms. 

Ryan's sink area looking into his room. This weekend we'll have Marc help us move his standing frame into the area under the bulletin board. 

Ryan's desk area -- he just barely fits under the desk in his chair. 

Ryan's leather recliner . . . he enjoyed transferring into the recliner we had in our apartment this summer so we bought one for his dorm room. 

Ryan's 86" XXL twin bed . . . we had to make special sheets but he loves the length! His scripture quilt from the Auburn Hills Ward on the wall. Also a huge box of Lucky Charms on top of three cases of water. Maybe I should have let our kids have sugared cereal growing up . . . it's the first thing they buy when thye go to college! 

View from Ryan's room. . . I think it is looking north toward the baseball fields. 

Some of the neighborhood children checking out Ryan's van. 

Tyler and Ryan at Kate's birthday party.