Farewell

Today (July 27, 2008) was Ryan’s day to speak in church before leaving. Turned out to be a very busy, but very nice day.

It began early with Ryan’s friend doing the same thing in his ward (congregation of our church in a geographical area). Josh Feil had moved to the Visalia First Ward a couple of years ago. When he and his family came to see a missionary couple in our ward speak before their mission they had heard the men sing "Called to Serve," and requested that they sing in their Ward on Josh’s special day. So at 8 a.m. Scott and Ryan went to the Stake Center to practice for that and for Ryan’s. At 9 a.m. Remington and I joined them to hear Josh speak and to hear the guys sing. They sang a beautiful rendition of "High on a Mountain Top."

I was surprised at the end of the meeting when all the men stood up again to sing the closing song. I didn’t know they were singing "Called to Serve." So this mom lost it early in the day . . .

At our Sacrament meeting Ryan had picked (on) his brother Reece to speak, and Elder Kleine the missionary serving in our ward, from Germany, spoke. And of course Ryan. All three gave great talks on different aspects on faith.

It was the best talk I’ve ever heard Reece give. And it made it all too easy to imagine the day when he will be preparing to leave on his mission. Elder Kleine has been one of the finest missionaries to serve in our ward. Hard working; never wasting a moment of time – what a wonderful example and first "trainer" for all our boys.

During Ryan’s talk he somehow managed to use a cell phone analogy about how we sometimes have dead spots and sometimes strong signals as we "keep the faith." He used many of the popular slogans of cell phone commercials including, "more bars in more places," and "can you hear me now?"

At the close of the meeting Dear Bishop said he didn’t recommend using the "more bars" analogy out in the mission field.

Oh, and at the beginning of the meeting Bishop Burns also announced that Ryan had been called to the "Florida Orlando Spanish Speaking Mission" – maybe he knows something we don’t? (He was called to English speaking.)

The men’s choir sang again, but this time it was "Elders of Israel." But Mom still cried. Did that a lot today for some reason. The spirit and being so proud of all my guys, especially Elder Miller.

We were so grateful to all the friends who came to show their support: our dear neighbor, and adopted Grandma, Mary, Sister Douglass, and Sister Barry, the Feil, Stewart, Bickmore, McWilliams, and Goulding families. And all our dear Ward Family. Thank you. Just wish I hadn't had to rush off to teach my Primary class and could have visited with everyone.

We’d like you to join us
for Ryan’s farewell talk in church,
before he leaves on his 2-year mission to
Orlando, Florida.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
at 11:00 a.m.
At the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4000 West Caldwell Avenue.
Call 555-0884 for directions.

Ryan's Temple Day

July 5, 2008 was a gorgeous day and the day that Ryan went through the Temple of the Lord for the first time. We went through our Temple -- the Fresno California Temple. There were so many of our friends and Ward family in attendance. There was a couple from our Ward going through for the first time that day, and they were sealed to their three little boys right afterwards, so it was a doubly special day!

Despite a recommend problem (something always has to go wrong for us) and not thinking to bring a camera (this photo is courtesy of our friend -- thank you, Maggie!) it was a wonderful day!

The Adventure Begins . . .

After finishing his first year at BYU-I and coming home in mid-April, our Bishop (Mike Burns) and Stake President (Zack Smith) said that Ryan broke records for getting his papers turned in for his mission. But of course their help had a lot to do with that.

After anxiously awaiting that packet (and getting reports from our diligent Bishop Burns!) for a couple of weeks. It finally arrived on Saturday, May 3. I thought it was a terribly appropriate tribute to Ryan's sweet and doting Great-Grandma Martha-- it should have been her 85th birthday.

Our family had spent the morning walking a few laps in the 2nd Annual Parkinson's Walk in honor of our dear neighbor (his wife is a founder of the walk). Of course Ryan had to check the mail as soon as we got home . . . and IT had come at last!

Then after more than an hour of attempting to get Grandma Miller in Florida, Great-Grandpa Ronald in Illinois on the phone we gave in and Ryan opened his call. His friend Justin Mann (newly called to New Jersey on his mission) was in attendance. Bishop Burns was there via the phone. And of course Ryan's brothers, Reece and Remington, and Dad and I were all gathered to hear the news.

As you can see from the photo Ryan covered the letter and slowly read down one line at a time. And as you can see from the big grin on his face he has been nothing but excited from moment-one.

His Dad and I on the other hand were a bit shocked at the proximity to family. Florida hits a bit close to home with Scott's Mom and brothers and family living there. Orlando is their Temple district! (Actually Birmingham is now closer, though!) But Florida is certainly one of my favorite places on Earth. The Florida panhandle is where Scott came "home" to after his mission. Where he proposed to me. Where we used to vacation with the boys each summer. Lots of wonderful memories. Now another wonderful association to add to the long list! (Helps to counteract the hurricanes and alligator nightmares. LOL)

Ryan had to read everyone the particulars several times before it all sunk in where and when he was going! As his mother it all just seemed surreal. I kept having flashbacks to my sweet, little curly-haired baby. What happened? (As soon as he's gone I'm posting some baby pics.)

Anyway, the rest of the day was a blurr of phone calls. Finally reached both grandparents and Ryan had a lot of fun phoning and texting all his friends.

Friends and Family

Dear Friends and Family,

We thought this would be a fun way to share letters, e-mails and photos from Ryan's mission over the next two years. Luckily he's still here to get Mom started . . .

~Roni (His proud Mom)