Week 10,11,12

This week marks 12 weeks since Ryan left. He says the time is flying by.  Transfers are coming up in a couple of weeks and he is anxious to see what will happen.  Ryan is teaching several investigators. He is hoping for some baptismal dates soon.  Early this morning, since it was "P" day, he and several other missionaries went on an early morning hike. He said it was a lot of fun, it felt a little like he was going hunting. Ryan loved conference.  He loved Elder Hollands talk. He said he felt it was an answer to his prayers. Ryan loves Arizona and the people there. He knows he is exactly where he needs to be.

 I love to see pictures. I'm glad he finds a little time to pose.

Week 9

Ryan had another great week. He continues to put lots of miles on his bike. Even though it is hot, he prefers to wear long sleeved shirts as he keeps getting sunburned. He loved the Easter pageant at the Mesa Temple. Ryan said that they were able to see the new boundaries for his mission. He is anxious to see what mission he'll be assigned to in July.

The licence plate on his bike

This is either his district or his zone.

The Mesa Temple

 the Easter Pageant

It looks like they were able to find some service to do

Week 8

Ryan spent a few days last week in bed. He was quite sick with flu symptoms.

His companion called a member and they quickly delivered  some

chicken noodle soup. Ryan is continually saying how great the members are. They would do anything for the Elders. Ryan received a blessing later in the week and he seems to be doing better. 

They are teaching an investigator who loves to play basketball. The elders are trying to put a team together so they can play but he said they are having a hard time finding anyone to play. He is teaching someone else who wanted to go to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple. They were trying to make arrangements to take him there.  Transfer calls were Sunday and neither Ryan or his companion are being transferred.

A quick update...
My sister in law, Traci, just called, her neighbor, Bob Chidester, just called her. He is in Arizona and went to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple. A missionary came up to him and said he recognized him, It was Ryan!!! Bob said that Ryan was happy and looked great! 

Week 7

Ryan is doing GREAT!

A few highlights from his week...

*Ryan and his companion had dinner with a sister. She was so impressed with him that she wanted to call me and tell me how wonderful Ryan is. Ryan is not allowed to give out his home phone number so I didn't get a call, so I guess I will take his word for it.

* Ryan is teaching at least 5 investigators. He also is working with new converts as well as a few less active members. He loves them all!

* A man had Ryan and his companion pull off the road and asked them to give him a blessing.

* There was a shooting in Ryan's neighborhood. He said someone got shot and died. The place was surrounded with helicopters and policemen. Ryan was thankful that he and his companion weren't working out outside that morning. His famous words, 'Don't worry mom, I'm safe."

*Ryan said he might get called on a new mission July 1st. The church announced a new mission in Gilbert, Arizona. Gilbert is currently in Ryan's mission. He said they are expecting his mission to be split and several of the missionaries to be called or transferred to the new mission. He is excited to see what happens.

Week 6

Ryan feels like his talk in church last Sunday went well. He said he talked for 20 minutes and could have talked longer. He said things there have been a little slow but they seem to be picking up a little. This past week he also had the opportunity to go to the temple.

Ryan sent me lots of pictures...

I have no idea what this is...

Ryan looks GREAT!

Week 5

Ryan continues to do amazing! They had a baptism last Saturday. He said that the confirmation the following Sunday in Sacrament Meeting was also great. He also had an opportunity to share his testimony. This coming Sunday Ryan is giving a 20 minute talk in Sacrament Meeting. Every day he reads a conference talk. He has asked that several of us read this talk by President Uchtdorf.

Ryan also told us to have more fun and not to worry so much. He suggested we go camping!  In President Uchtforf's talk he suggests 3 things we can do avoid some of the deepest regrets of life,

~Resolve to spend more time with those we love.

~Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.

~Resolve to find happiness. regardless of our circumstances.

A few highlights from his letter...

* I have gotten so sunburned that I am actually sick.

* We ride at least 30 miles on our bikes every day.

* A member brought us pizza! That was really a treat.

* The members here are so nice to us. It's hard for me to accept all they want to do for us and give us. A member cut my hair and would not take money for it.

* I think you and dad should move to here! It is so nice here, I love it! 

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mid week update

Yesterday I received a letter from Ryan as well as a SD card. Most of the pictures were taken at the MTC. He has promised to send pictures from Arizona next week. He said he has already gotten quite sunburned. He said sunscreen is too expensive. Not to worry though, as soon as Kamie heard this she quickly sent him a package with 3 different kinds of sunscreen, so he should be set. Ryan is doing GREAT!

Elder Carroll's mom (from Hawaii) made the missionaries in Ryan's district each a tie.
Elder Kirton & Elder Webb sporting their Aloha ties.

Elder Kirton and Elder Kirton

More Aloha ties...

More ties...

Breaking out of the MTC

Arriving at Salt Lake International

We wondered how Ryan was going to carry all of his luggage, looks like he figured it out.

Last look at the Utah mountains

Ryan's house in Arizona

Ryan's new mode of transportation.

Ryan says, " Thanks so much for everything and Never forget that I love you!"

Week 4

Ryan has spent the past 5 days in Arizona. He has already had some interesting experiences.
Here are a few highlights from his e-mail...

* The members here are so awesome!!  I'm gonna get fat! Everyone is so nice.

* Our area is huge, it's about a 45 minute bike ride to one of our areas, 25 minutes of that is riding through cotton fields. 

* We are over 3 wards, we spent 8 hours at church yesterday! It was ridiculous.

*  I think 50% of the members are hunters! I have already met 5 who are full time guides.

* My first day here...I almost died! A pit bull atacked me!! I was on my bike and it ran out and started chasing me, it went right past Elder Arndt and Elder Atkins and went for me! I peddled my bike so fast. It was nuts.

* We spent Saturday doing service for a lady. She has tons of animals. She has about 50 half llama half camel things, 38 dogs, 20 pigs and 8 ostriches, tons of chickens and at least 3 ponies. We helped her and this coming Saturday she is getting baptized!

He said he would be sending home a sd card today so hopefully in a few days I will have pictures.

a quick update...

I received a letter today!

Dear Mom,                                                                             Wednesday Night (02/20/13)

Hey mom, it's Ryan. I hope everything is going good back home. I made it to Tempe. My Mission President is awesome  He is a way nice guy and very funny too. My first day was so long but at the same time it went fast. I stayed at a members house last night. His name was Brother Jones. He is pretty old but very nice, we talked forever. Today I met my companion, he is from North Carolina. His name is Elder Arndt. We have a lot in common and we get a long very good. We live in an awesome house! We share with the Spanish speaking elders. It has been cold here. It is only 40 degrees and it has been raining.  We don't have a car, just bikes, Oh and my bike is great. We are just east of Queen Creek and about 45 minutes from Tempe. We are kind of in the middle of nowhere and I already love it here. I will write more on Monday. I 'm just writing to let you know that I am safe and good and that I love it here! and I love you too! Don't worry about me.
Love Elder Kirton

He's Arrived!

I just received word from the Mission President...

Ryan's has safely arrived in Arizona.

 The group of new missionaries that arrived in Arizona Tuesday

Elder Kirton in Arizona!