Sister Jennadene Ryan Meets Temple Square

Transfer 10 Week 3

This week so much but so little happened!

It was really amazing though, our investigators are finally starting to progress and really come to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, truly is Jesus Christ restored church on the earth.

They are really feeling that God is listening to them as they pray, finding comfort through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, getting excited to meet with local missionaries and go to church, loving reading the Book of Mormon, praying with faith and sincerity.

I also found out that one of my recent converts is being the best missionary ever and is baptizing everyone he loves, first his girlfriend, and now he is baptizing his Mum tomorrow which we are excited to learn more about how it all came to pass and how everything fell into place! He plans on going on a mission next year! He loves the gospel so much, He knew that the Book of Mormon was true and had no doubts about it before he was baptized, his date was actually pushed up a week because he was that ready! It really has been such a testimony to me of something I said a while ago; "You can count the seeds in the apple, but you can't count the apples from the seeds".

There is really not much I can say besides the fact that I love being a missionary, I love doing the Lords work, I love teaching and testifying every day to people who are looking for the Gospel, even if they don't realize it yet. I love being able to teach about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and see the eyes of people change as they are filled with hope, love and the light of Christ. I love walking in the shadow of the Temple and being able to testify of the Spirit there.

The Book of Mormon truly changes lives, it creates something within us that brings us so much closer to God that really helps us have the desire to do no more evil, but to do good continuously." (Mosiah 5:2). It changes us as we apply the doctrines and principles contained in the Book of Mormon, as we really put ourselves into these stories of their time. I'm currently in Alma and just seeing the missionaries and the way they carry out their work is inspiring. Like the Sons of Mosiah that were imprisoned in Middoni, once free and ready, they went back out to declare the world! It didn't matter how hard it was or what they are previously been through, they pushed on, they carried on because it pained them that any creature would "perish in unbelief" (Mosiah 28:3). The Lord comforted them (Alma 17:10, Alma 26:27) and they were strengthened by the Lord and I have seen that my whole mission. The Lord carries us so much more than we realize and I know it is only because of Him that I have been able to have the mission I have had, to behold the marvelous experiences that the Lord has blessed me with.

Everything comes back to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everything. I have really learnt that in my mission, it's so much grander than what we realize or can even comprehend with our earthly minds. It encompasses everything we do and everything we have. There is no way possible I could ever pay back the Savior for what He did and Heavenly Father for giving Him to us, but i can show my love and appreciation by doing all I can, by serving others which is me serving Him (Mosiah 2:17). I can keep the commandments, be accountable through prayer, study the words He has given us in the scriptures and also from Old and Modern day Prophets. I can strive to develop Christ-like attributes and use the atonement as I repent daily, in coming closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father through that (Mosiah 4:10-12).

I honestly just want you all to know that I know that the church is true with all I have. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ Restored church on the earth today, and it happened because a humble boy had a question that he took to the Lord in sincere prayer, and that prayer changed the world as God again reached out in love for His children and called a living prophet on the earth today, Joseph Smith. I know the First Vision really happened and I know that it is through the power of God that the Book of Mormon was able to be translated. I stand with Elder Jeffery Holland as he quoted His great grandfather “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”.

Prophecies are being fulfilled, I have seen it an if you look they are all around us, I have seen things come to pass from the Book of Mormon and the Bible in my mission, especially prophecies like Isaiah 2:2! And it strengthens my testimony even greater seeing the scriptures and their truthfulness playing a role in my life (John 7:17) and I don't even know what is happening in the world! (and to be honest I love it that way) and so I am sure there are even more being fulfilled.

I know this isn't the normal email I would usually send, but hopefully it's able to help or give comfort to someone.

But I know there are people out there and it may even you, as you read this, that is struggling with something, if it be their testimony, their faith, their strength and their ability to just hold on, to just endure just a little longer... please just remember the One that is ready to catch you the one that still "extends unending grace, although He extends it with pierced palms and scarred wrists". You cannot fail with the Lord on your side, and though you may not understand what is happening now, I promise that he has the bigger picture and much greater things in mind and in store than you could ever imagine. Trust in Him... because in the end, He is the only one that perfectly knows and perfectly loves you and I invite you to come to know that for yourself.

Turn to prayer and ask you Father in Heaven to make known to you His love and His care, I promise that as you open yourself to that and as you are willing to act on that love that is felt or shown, you will feel it so greatly. I know it because I have done it and I have had investigators that have been looking so long and He finally feels and knows that God is listening to His prayers and can feel that perfect love (Moroni 8:16).

I love you all, but Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love you so much more!

Love, Sister Ryan xx

Transfer 10 Week 2

What can I say? My life as a missionary was changed forever this week!

We had so many amazing training's this week, we had Missionary Leadership Council, then we had training from the Missionary Department, 2 for the leaders in the mission and 1 for the whole mission.
I won't lie, to begin with I was completely overwhelmed. At first I just thought of everything I was doing wrong as a missionary and it seemed hopeless that I could improve and be the missionary that the Lord needs me to be to keep pace with His hastening of the work like it says in Doctrine and Covenants 88:73 "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time."

That time is now and we must keep pace, members and full-time missionaries together.

There is so much we can be doing to assist the Lord in this work, but what are we willing to do to change that and to become what He knows we can be, to reach our full potential as disciples of Jesus Christ?

One thing that I had a testimony of and experienced conversion to this week was Repentance, and I know that might sound weird, because I'm a missionary, I'm not going out there sinning or doing anything crazy, I'm obedient, I strive to be exactly obedient in all things, and I strive to do everything that the Lord would have me do, but as it says in Preach My Gospel and also in the Bible Dictionary"The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world." This week I came to understand why it is so important, I knew before but this week it REALLY hit me!

I stand with Elder Jörg Klebingat Of the Seventy when he said in his talk Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence"Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very 'practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out. Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that are to be welcomed and 'applied daily according to the Great Physician’s orders.Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by making it your lifestyle of choice. In doing so, beware of the temptation to procrastinate,and don’t expect the world to cheer you on. Keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow. Spiritual confidence increases when you voluntarily and joyfully repent of sins, both small and great, in real time by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

It is through repentance that we can come to know our Savior, it is through His enabling power that I have been able to be changed (Mosiah 4:10-12). I as have repented, I truly felt that forgiveness, and some how it has brought me so much closer to Him. I don't know how it works, but I know that I have been looking to come closer to Him for a long time and through that enabling power of the Atonement, in having Him change me over time to become what He would have me be. Not seeing it while it was happening, but being able to look back and realize that I have really been changed, I have become more like Him. I have developed Christ-like attributes that I have been striving to develop my whole mission. The things that stopped me from being a Saint and fed my Natural Man are going away and I have been able to use repentance in that, in being who He would have me be (Mosiah 3:19). I am no where near perfect! But I am grateful for the Lord teaching me and howing me the way, in giving me the opportunity to develop these attributes i have prayed for and studied long and hard to develop.

When we look at repentance, most of us often look at it as scary, painful, depressing and something that is just too hard to do, this week I really came to know how it is one of the most joyful principles in all the gospel! It is something to be excited about, something to look forward to, something to crave and constantly have and do at all times. As I was feeling overwhelmed with everything I took a step back and got on my knees for a long time and really told my Father in Heaven exactly how I was feeling about everything I had learnt and everything that I was feeling, not knowing how to apply it all. I was reminded of what I had mentioned in the meeting that morning about Repentance when the question came up "Are you willing to repent, change and teach more effectively the Savior's way? Why do you think Elder Bednar used the word repent?" I had used the previous statement mentioned about how repentance is a fresh view and how we need to have a fresh view on missionary work and on the way we teach so that we can change and become more like the Savior. The next day was part 2 of the training and my heart was so open to everything that was said, I had no fear and I was excited to apply all that I had learnt on the square, especially because I had exchanges and it would be great to apply it with a sister in my district.

I found myself looking for what faith and repentance look like in people and doing all I could to understand why God brought them here to Temple Square, we met guest and members and I found the way I contacted and taught people so different than what I ever had before. My thoughts were directed to not only my purpose as a missionary, but Gods purpose as stated in Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

What does God want for people who come to Temple Square? It's very simple, that answer being, Eternal Life. Sure, he wants them to have a spiritual experience, learn about the Atonement, or the temple, or eternal families, he wants them to read the Book of Mormon and come to know these things for themselves, but all those things are means to an end. We need to be thinking about the BIG picture, to not forget that end, to really start with the end in mind. To have in our minds at all times, how do we help this child of God, our brother or sister, come onto the path, that leads to Eternal life?

There are so many things that I want to study an implement in my daily missionary work and I know it will take time, prayer, repentance, diligence to do so. But I love my Savior so much and I love His work. I want to keep pace with His hastening, so I have to step it up! Because "If we always do what we have always done, then we will always get what we have always gotten".I need to change, to use the Atonement and to really apply it in my life and in my missionary work in a way I have not before.

I have talked many times about these "doors to the Atonement" that I continue to open in my mission and I have found another! The door to Repentance that leads to a fresh view of ourselves, the world and God and enables change within ourselves through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. None of this would be possible without the Savior, we need him if we are going to achieve anything, because this is His work! He is more than capable of doing it, yet he gives us the sacred privilege in assisting him (Mosiah 26:15 & 2 Nephi 27:20-21) therefore, we must do it in His way.

I feel so much closer to my Savior and I feel it's become I am truly striving to become as He is, and that is made possible through repentance, through study, prayer and having Him apply the atonement in my life (Mosiah 4:2). And I know it's possible for everyone else. He is the great physician and He will give us the guidance we need to be healed, in all ways.

I love the gospel and I love the doctrine of repentance and how truly beautiful it is! I love the Book of Mormon and I love this work, there is so much more that I learnt this week, about commitment keeping, extending invitations and how it all comes together, but this is what I feel needs to be shared today and thank-you for taking the time to read my lengthy email.

I invite you to really ponder about the things you need to have a fresh view on, maybe it's home teaching, visiting teaching, member missionary work, prayer, studying the Book of Mormon, whatever it may be! and to really repent, to seek that fresh view and to apply the atonement so you can be the Disciple of Christ he knows you are capable of becoming.

I love you all, thank-you.

Love, Sister Ryan xx

Transfer 10 Week 1

Well, this is weird... I'm in my 10th Transfer, I testify that the mission is so fast! It's crazy to think that I'm already at the point where I have less than 6 months left and only 3 transfers after this one. Sister Christensen is keeping me sane and very grounded, training is the best, though there really isn't much training to be done, she's amazing! She is a powerful and incredible missionary and I know that we were put together for so many reasons. The Lord is in the details and these transfers with her couldn't be more perfect!

Though out teaching pool be small and sickness has gotten in the way of the work (on both sides) we still strive diligently to do all we can to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel, and that's what it's all about.

This transfer will be a busy one, finishing up training Sister Christensen, being assigned to be District Leader for the second time and also we still have our assignment of Visiting Center Training, which we love so much! It will be crazy, busy, fun, and I will spend a lot of time on my knees, however I know it's going to be incredible! I love the Sisters in my District, they are great hard working missionaries that love the Lord and love this work, they are full of enthusiasm and diligence. Really everything in the mission prepares us for something and this is just another one of those things I will look back on whenever it is and be like "Yep! That's why the Lord needed me in that position at that time."

This week it snowed on Wednesday ALL DAY! I woke up to a blanket of snow and it was the first time in my life seeing this much snow and seeing it consistant all day! needless to say I took a million photos! It was an incredible day and completely random, there is no more snow on the ground, it's been warm and sunny the past two days and the flowers and slowly recovering from the dust storm then the snow, now we can get into Spring. Heavenly Father obviously just wanted me to see it one time in my mission and it was perfect and completely picturesque. I LOVE THE SNOW! It was an incredible day and I was on cloud 9 the whole time, which brightened up a lot of people who were annoyed a little about it, but it helped them realize that there are people that never see this and how exciting it is, which made them smile to see, for lack of a better word my whole innocence to snow and the feeling of it and everything else. Like a child... Mosiah 3:19 right? just likening the scriptures! Hahaha

I can absolutely say with 100% surety, being centered on our purpose as missionaries changes everything, being a Preach My Gospel missionary changes everything. I love in Chapter 1 of Preach My Gospel it says "When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you.".

And it is so true, it may not be perfect, our teaching pool may not be large, people may not refer or wish to learn more even when you know they need the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than ever! When it's a family that has been prepared by the Lord to receive these things... whatever it may be. You can still know that you are successful because you love these people, you desire their salvation, because the Spirit was speaking through us, we are obedient, we strive daily to develop Christlike attributes, then Mosiah 28:3 becomes more real than ever before.

I know that I will never in this life understand the immense results of what I have done on my mission, I will never know the impact of my testimony or a shared experience, never know how many people actually go home and check out mormon.org or read the Book of Mormon or let the missionaries into their homes. But really, I don't have to, because it's not about what I know, because I don't have to know it all, I just have to trust and rely on the one who does, and as I focus on the here and now and as I center everything on my Savior, Jesus Christ. That's where the eternities are beginning to be changed, even when I don't realize it.

One example, just before conference we met all these returned missionaries that has served in Tennessee the day they got home, they came from the airport to Temple Square (it happens a lot), we met these two Sisters at the Eternal Families desk and they were still just shining and bright, sad, but so happy to be home with their families, excited to carry their name tags in their hearts continuing with the work by being member missionaries. We invited them all to pray about questions to take to conference and then have them in their hearts while they watched General Conference that was coming that weekend.

Usually we never see or hear about the results of what happens but we were finishing a tour at the Statue of Christ and after we had ended it, one of the Sisters came up to us! She told us of her experience and how it changed her life and gave her so much guidance as to what to do after her mission and how it really just gave her so much comfort, it had been a rough day for Sister Christensen and I and it was a testimony to us of so many things. We got to see the fruits of an invitation that we had extended by the Spirit and because of that her life was changed. I will be forever grateful for her coming up to us and telling us how we played a huge part in all of that and for the kind words and advice she than gave to us.

"The sorrows will out number the joys, but the joys will always outweigh the sorrows" - Kate

With one of the new exhibits we have on Temple Square right now it's called 8 Stories and it's all about the District 2 missionaries in their Pre-Mission, their Mission and their Post-Mission life. They share stories and experiences and something that they have really learnt from their missions. It got me thinking about what I have learnt and it really comes down to as I have said it a million times in my emails "The Lord is in the details of our lives". I see it come to pass multiple times a day, everything comes back to my Savior and my gratitude for His plan for me and how I can have confidence in that. I don't have to fear, as long as I have faith and I am trusting in the arm of my Savior, I have nothing to stress about because He has it all in His hands and He knows a lot better than I do! Which I am so grateful for!

I love being able to have this experience where I get to not only help others come unto Christ, but I to get to come closer to him in ways I never have before, I get to use the atonement in ways I never have before and I get to just learn and grow in ways I never could if I hadn't come on a mission.

Our investigators are slowly but surely coming to know the truths of the gospel for themselves, by reading the Book of Mormon and praying, they are increasing in their faith and developing relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's been really incredible to see the changes they are making and the things they are doing to really have it for themselves. They are all so amazing and I love them all so much, I know they will come to know these truths and that the Lord has a plan for them, just like he has a plan for all of us. Like Elder Brent H. Nielson talked about in his conference address in the Saturday afternoon session, we're all on the same path back to our Heavenly Father and He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ to help us along the way!

I love the gospel and I love being a missionary, I love inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel, I love the Book of Mormon and how I continuously learn and grow from it every time I read it, no matter what it is. I'm excited for the new experiences this transfer will bring and I'm just grateful for every opportunity and experience given to me in the mission. Especially here on Temple Square.

Love, Sister Ryan xx