I get knocked down, but I get up again

Querido familia,

Buenos dias!  Well, to be frank, I'm still a junior cheeseburger.  Almost nobody got changed this transfer.  And yes it was disappointing at first, but I wont complain.  The real reason I wanted to move up was so I could actually work hard.  Being stuck with a lazy companion puts our success at about 20% of what it could be.  I wanted to train so I could get a new fresh missionary that would do whatever I tell him haha.  But the work in my area is still going great.  The ward is finally getting involved with more activity and are actually visiting our investigators personally!  We have several baptisms coming up the next few weeks so be ready for pictures. :)   The members we live with also got a new puppy that is straight from heaven.  Seriously the cutest puppy I've ever seen.  I even slept with it a few nights.....

Cameron wants to know a little more about investigators, and he's right I should be telling you guys more.  One of my favorite investigators right now is an 18 year old girl named Lorenah and her sister Joselin.  Shes golden.  She reads the Book of Mormon everyday and even laminated her book.  She joined the ward choir and attends all of the ward activities.  During our last lesson this week, she stood up to her parents and came out telling them how wrong they are drinking every week and claiming to serve God.  She testified of the truth of the church and how much she desired them to get baptized and change their poor lifestyles.  She said many more things and basically taught the lesson for us hahaha!  I just savored that moment and wanted to cry.  Nothing makes you happier in the mission than seeing your own investigators share their testimony with others.  She's going to be baptized this Saturday and hopefully her family in June.

One lesson I really learned this week is responsibility.  Well two.  And Respect.  I learned that as missionaries we need to take responsibility for everything that goes wrong, and give credit to others for whatever goes right.  We can't ever blame others.  We also need to take everything into our own hands.  I can't expect an investigator to get the hint to pray or read by themselves, I need to tell them and walk them through it.  I can't expect a ward party to hand itself, I need to verify and make sure everything comes through.  Basically I'm the Big Daddy of this area and I'm dealing with a bunch of babies.  Haha.  I don't mean that in a bad way.  I mean that if you want something to get done, you gotta do it yourself, and for these people to do something you have to tell them directly and specifically.  I also learned respect this week in a sense that I need to be more careful.  I came to realize through some bad experiences that somebody is always watching and listening to the things you say and do.  Not that I did or said something bad.  But people are always watching whether you care or not.  And the things you do really do affect them.  You can say something simple and true, and they can understand it completely different.  Thus leading to someone getting offended, rumors starting, or people judging you.  Just like Cameron's blog, some things are better not said even if they are true.  Which is why we always need the Spirit with us.  Because as long as it is inside of us and we are listening to its promptings, we cant go wrong.

Nonetheless, I'm excited for this next transfer!  I'm still learning a lot every week and getting better.  And still having fun too!  So look for pictures the next few weeks, I love you all, and have a splendorous week!



Con Amor,
Elder Walker
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Walking Disaster

Dear family,

"I haven't been home for a while, I´m sure everything's the same.  Mom and Dad both in denial, an only child to take the blame.  Sorry mom but I don't miss you!  Father´s no name, you deserve!  I'm just a kid with no ambitions, wouldn't come home for the world.  You´ll never know what Ive become.   The king of all that´s said and done; the forgotten son.  The city´s buried in defeat, I walk along these no name streets, wave good by to home, as I fall........

Well it was a treat to see you all last Sunday.  To be honest it just felt like we were having normal conversation haha.  I guess I kind of am over all homesickness.  It seems like nothings changed either.  Everyone's still working, studying, or looking for a girlfriend.  Frankly, the missions where its at!  Far away from all the stress of the world with only one job.  Ive learned so much out here, most of all Ive learned how to be independent.  As they say,  "You'll leave a boy and come back a man."  Well, Ill probably still be a boy when I come back haha.  But Ill know who I am.  I don´t need others anymore to tell me what I want or that the church is true.  I know what I want, and where I'm going in life.  And it makes me happy.

Why I tell you guys this I don't know lol.  I just feel its time to officially proclaim my manhood.

Today is also transfers, so in about one hour Ill find out whether I'm moving up this next change or not!  I told the President, and my leaders have too, that I'm ready for more responsibilities and want to work harder.  So hopefully he catches the hint that I'm tired of being junior companion (just like everyone else in my group) and want to train or do something more in my mission life other than being a junior cheeseburger.  I'm a Big Mac.  I'm ready to train a little fry.  Together we´ll drink in success.  It'll be a happy meal of blessings.  Ok Ill stop.

I'm outta time, so tune in next week for juicy information on transfer news!  I love you all, take care of yourselves!  Treat yourselves to a nice happy meal this week and we´ll celebrate together in spirit ;)  I'm always thinking of you guys and pray for you all.

With Love,
Elder Ryan Preston Walker
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I will be home in a while. you don't have say a word.  I cant wait to see you smile, wouldn´t miss it for the world....

Surprise! MMMM! But wait! There's more!

*Ryan actually wrote this Saturday the 10th. 
Querido familia,

Yes, I know today is Saturday.  I was so trunky I decided to go to an internet cafe and write you guys while my companion was sleeping.  Just don't tell president.  Ok?

Truth is we`ll be gone all day Monday cause I guess there's a mission party this Monday at the offices!  So I won't talk to you guys Monday.  But I will see you Sunday ;)  Just to reconfirm, Ill be on google hangout at 2 o'clock Vegas time 4 o'clock Peruano time.  Ill try to use my profile, but I'm not sure if the password is different... so Ill figure something out :)  You guys just wait for a call haha.  And be ready this time!!!  Last Christmas I was freaking out because nobody was answering!!  Que mala familia no??  Ya no importo.

As for this week, not much to report after 4 days haha.  Other than being chased by a gang of little kids wanting to hug a gringo, or being whistled at every where I go.  My companion is still trunky and doesn't work much.  He really frustrated me this week when he ruined a lesson and later told me that I need to study and work harder if I want to be as good as him.  How does that song go?  "Jussst breaaattth".  I was ready to lose it and make a list of everything he`s ruined because he isn't obedient.  But that would only make things worse. Blaming others only makes wounds deeper.  Love, diligence, and patience heals.  Patience is key to any companionship.  Marriage or mission.

I'm already out of time haha so I guess Ill see you guys tomorrow, well some of you.  I miss you all.  I hope you all continue to pray and remember what a Loving Heavenly Father we have.  And when you're feeling down or suffering some kind of trial, remember blame cuts deeper, and love heals.  Patience is key!  I love you all and have a good week!!

Con Amor,
Elder Walker

Happy Mudders Day

Querido familia,

Well, I only  cried about 9 times after talking to you on the phone.  Jk I didn't cry at all, big boys don't cry.  But It was amazing to talk to you again.  Frankly I had forgotten about it all- America, cheeseburgers, white people.  But it all came back to me when I called you haha.  As for our call next week, it is officially scheduled for 2 o'clock Vegas time, 4 o'clock Peruvian time.  So anyone who happens to remember old Elder Ryan Walker, go to the Walker home for a party!!!

In other news, there is none.  Nothing happened this week other than the Mission President authorized us to watch DISNEY MOVIES ON PDAY!!!!! AHHHHH!   Hahaaaa I finally get to watch frozen!!!!  Sucks for the rest of you who never got to watch movies on your mission.  I have a feeling someone will abuse it though so this will probably only last 2 more weeks.

To be frank, I'm frankly out of Time.  Sorry for the lousy letter, but I missed half my internet time this morning because my companion was in the shower.

I love you all!  I hope to see your beautiful faces this Sunday!  Any questions, comments, complaints, jokes, love notes, write me!!  I love hearing from you all.

Have a super semana.

Con Amor,

Elder Walker