I'm so glad when Daddy comes home

*Last post was June 9th's letter.  This is June 16th's letter.
*I had to make so many corrections.  I think he either has a sad key board or he has totally forgotten his English!  Sorry it has take so long to get these out.  Write him a letter!  I'll even pay the postage-bring it by.
Mama Walker

Querido familia,

First, Feliz dia de Papicitos!!!  Happy daddy's day!  Sounds like you had an amazing Fathers day.  I'd trade anything for a 4 hour nap too.  My gift to you this Father's Day is the baptism of 2 souls.:)  It will be a little delayed as the baptisms will actually take place in July...  but we took out the fecha yesterday. :)  So there ya go.
This Daddy's Day was also a special day, as I hope we all also remembered our Heavenly Father on Father's Day.  He's our Father Spiritually, and I wish him a happy daddy's day. :D

The Apostle Dallin H Oaks also came to the mission and talked this Saturday.  I love meeting Apostles in person, I don't feel more closer to Christ than with his own Apostles!!  His talk was powerful and chastised me spiritually.  I found many answers than I'm looking for.  I also learned why God gave us a sense of humor.  "When we're sad, we shouldn't cry, but laugh!  That's why God gave us a sense of humor.  If he didn't, what would we do when we see a giraffe?"  Hahaaaa that surprised me coming form an apostle.

In other news, Its WORLD CUP here in Perú!!!!  WOOoo! For those who don't know what the world cup is, its like the super bowl but for soccer. I never was interested in soccer 'till I came to the mission, its the best!  Soccer is 10 times better than any other lame sport we play in America.  Not that I watch the matches, cuz I'm working duhh.  But its a great missionary tool to know the scores, players, who won, how they made the goal, etc.  We got in many doors talking about the World Cup, and the people trust us more when we have something in common.  Peru didn't even qualify to enter the world cup though haha, which was sad.  Or Bolivia, sorry Craig.  We have made it to World Cup for over 30 years haha no pasa nada con Peru.  But its also a little more dangerous at night.  The number of drunks in the street has doubled.  But I take it more as an opportunity to preach the Word of Wisdom more.

Other things that happened this week, I got a pedicure for my birthday.  Don't judge me, but it was amazing.  As missionaries, you walk all day.  So a pedicure made my feet look beautiful, feel amazing and soft as a baby!  Just what I wanted. Our shower also broke this week, so we're back to freezing cold water again.  Plus it's winter here, which doesn't help.  A bus we were in also hit a dude and sent him flying.  But then he stood up like nothing happened and kept walking.  That was funny.

Id like to apologize for not writing very good letters the last few weeks.  My internet time has been cut short every week because of things my companion has done.  So I'm always trying to write as many people as I can, but there's never time. :(  BUT you should all know that I haven't forgotten about you and still love you all. :)  Stay faithful to God, and have a good week!

Con Amor,
Elder Walker

The Real Message

My Dear familia,

To be honest, I'm not sure where to start.  Well lets just get my birthday out of the way- we didn't do anything.  Yap.  That's the mission.  We did have some great lessons though. :D

But speaking of lessons, God answered our prayers this week.  We've been looking hard for new people to teach and we suddenly found several new people this week!  But the best is a woman named Ruth who's 31 years old and searched her whole life for the truth.  Shes the most loving person Ive ever met in my life and were already best friends! :D  Shes been prepared by God her whole life and shes been through so many distinct experiences, wanting to know what God really wants for her.  Its hard to explain through email, but shes AWESOME!!  People like her restore our faith as missionaries lol.  She already has a baptismal date, but of course Satan has her working Sundays, so she has to ask her boss off, though hes the kind of boss that never lets people have Sundays off.  So if you guys have a little extra time and faith, please add her in your prayers that her boss will let her take enough time off Sundays to go to Church. :)  Shes suffered a lot in her life, but she knows this is what she wants, and makes me happy more than anything seeing her happy with the Gospel.

Sorry I don't have much to say this week.  All we did was a lot of service and lessons and more service.  But there's no other way Id rather have it.  Was kind of hard having a birthday out here in Peru without the people who actually know me.  But I love these people and am glad for the experience.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, letters, hugs n kisses, n everything!  It really helps in the little ways.  One more year and Ill be a man ;)  Its weird thinking what I was doing every birthday ago, how people change, and how the world changes.  I guess the people that really matter are those that have been there every year.  Others come and go, not sure why we don't talk anymore.  I love people and being friends, and still worry about people I haven't seen for years.  But I guess we all find our own purpose in life and what makes us happy.  One things for sure, we do all have a purpose in life, and there's always somebody that loves us.  Even if its just our Father in Heavenly who has to carry us when we have nothing. 

I love you all and miss you all like crazy.  Know I'm always here for all of you and love hearing from any of you.  Till then, this nineteeners gotta get back to work.  Keep killin' it and have a great week!!

Elder Walker


PS mom I did get the package but not the letter.  Definitely the coolest package Ive ever seen.  I loved the photos, a little too trunky for me to handle haha.  The shirts, thank you!!!  Made me so happy and feel at home again.  And  tell everyone thanks for the letters, Tyler for the sweet USB full of sweet spiritual stuff, and candy!  Not sure what to do with this hat tho.....

Happy Birthday to . . . me?

Querido familia,

duh dut, duh dum dum dum!
Cumpleaños feliz, me deseo a mi!  Cumpleaños feliiizesssss, cumpleaños feliz!  Yrrrrrrrrayayayayaya!

Well, if you hadn't heard the news, its someone specials birthday this week, ahhhhh!!  Its my companion's birthday!!!  Hahaaaa oh ya and I guess mine is too this week.  That's how all the members here say it hahaha, they say "Elder Pizarro Happy birthday!!!!  Oh... and Elder Walker too!"  Hes been here for 6 months so he steals all my work and glory lol.  But to be honest birthdays don't exist in the mission.  Ill still be working that day.  But if I'm lucky, maybe Ill treat myself to an extra 30 minutes of sleep ;)

My biggest birthday treat was the baptism of Lorena de la Cruz.  We had a final lesson this week with her family right before her baptism, where her mom tried to convince her not to do it.  She testified one last time that she knows what shes doing and that she knows the church is true.  She desires nothing more than to follow Christ and wishes her mom would do the same.  After that her mom didn't have anything bad to say and was actually happy.  This Saturday was her baptism and was our most beautiful baptism yet.  Ill never forget watching her come out of the water and seeing her face.  I like to take before and after pictures of baptisms, and when they come out of the font, its like they're a completely different person.  The baptism was such a joy for me.  As missionaries, the work gets very frustrating.  But everything pieces together and your joy is full the moment you see investigators enter a baptismal font.  Its like a breath of fresh air till the next one.

The example she gave for her family also changed everything in the family.  Her mom is now completing commitments and I believe soon she too will be baptized.  So if you have an extra few seconds, add her family in your prayers.

Well, Id love to bore you all with what Ive learned this week or what my real birthday plans are, but I'm out of time haha.  But I promise to fill you all in next week, so stay tuned!!  Till then, toodloo!  Happy birthday to me!  And a Merry Christmas to you!

Con Amor,

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