Elder Ryan Bird

Hey Mom,
Well, I'm in the same boat as you. All I can really think of is "SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!" (to my readers, that's exactly what my mom said to me).

I'll be spending next monday in the office so I probably won't be able to write home. So the next time you hear from me will be in person. This last week we had a tropical storm. We actually spent one full day in the house and the next day we spent a good portion in the house before leaving. We didn't have anything bad out here. We had a ton of rain but there was no report of ANY damage whatsoever in Barahona. But I'm doing well.

Anyway, that's about all for now. I'm trying to find a way to get all of Elder McMahan's photos, but these computers are messed up. I'll see what I can do.

Love,
-Elder Bird

Hey Mom,
Here we are with just another normal week. I wouldn't say that there's a whole lot new from me, but I'm glad to hear that all keeps going well back home. I am surprised to hear that Dad and I will be speaking on the same day. I think I've just been getting too lucky with my mission talks. I gave my farewell talk when Jared gave his homecoming talk, and I'll give my homecoming talk when dad is assigned to speak. That'll be fun.

Well, sounds like girls camp was a success this year. I hope Kara had the time of her life. Do you have any fun stories of wacked up things that happened? I didn't know Kara had an iTouch. I'm glad that she's making use of it. Maybe she'll have to teach me how to use one when I get home.

I think its funny how you mention the District 2 dvds. Dad mentioned them to me a while ago and I told him that its the same stuff that we see here in capacitations. We're supposed to use them on a weekly basis in district meetings, but we don't always have a tv nor dvd player available. But knowing what'll come to the mission, they'll become a little more available. But I'll be gone by then. Its all good though. I'm quite familiar with all the stories that you told about these investigators. It is kind of funny to see the reactions of some missionaries to these dvds. I think I told you that so long ago the first thing I noticed in these videos were carpeted floors. I would make a joke that I was getting 'trunky' when it would show downtown San Diego shots before the video. Elder McMahan asked me if I recognized where the missionaries lived. I told him that I didn't, but that I recognized all the bay shots that they do. I'm also convinced that one of the missionary companionships is located in La Jolla, but I don't know.

Well, things are going normal here in Barahona. I did mention that I was going on an intercambio back to Neyba last week. It was an unreal experience for me. I remember this area just about as well as the current missionaries. I went and contacted some old streets that I contacted and I taught in a house or two that I did when I was here so long ago. I did get a little gypped on the member visits though. I told Elder Vilorio that if there was time I would have liked to visit a couple specific members. When I thought that we were going to have time Elder Vilorio pulls out of nowhere an hour and a half lesson on tithing to 3 kids who aren't older than 10. I was a little bummed about that. But it's just what happened. I at least had the opportunity to see the area and see a couple of familiar faces.

Yesterday we had two guys from my group go to the office (who are going home early). Elder Grant and Elder Pratt are in the office right now waiting to go home. Elder Grant asked me if I had the chance to make the decision again if I would go home early or not if I would change anything. I told him that going home 2 weeks early would be convenient...but not needed. So here I stay in Barahona working out my last 2 weeks. These will fly like no other. Not to mention that I'll only be able to write home one more time. There isn't even enough time for me to send hand written letters home. Anything I send now will get home later than myself. We only had one mail visit so far and it was last week. So, I imagine that there are a lot of people wishing for a letter from me. But I'll make it up to them with a personal visit before that letter could ever get to them.

Anyway, Elder McMahan and I are working hard to find new people to teach. We have a few people of interest and we'll see how they progress. We are having a bit of a problem with one of our baptismal candidates who has been busy for the last 2 weeks. His dad, who is a member, is going to visit him today to try and motivate him a little more. After all we can do, the missionaries can't do more.

Well, that's all I got for now. Hope everyone is having a great summer and I can't wait to see you all soon.

Love,
-Elder Bird

Hey Mom,
Last week was definitely a crazy week with the strike. But all is well here and everything is back to how it was. When the stores opened back up I definitely went and bought a little more stock of food to have.

Sounds like Kara is going to have a fun summer. I hope that these 3 volleyball camps will serve her well. If you need help getting her to get in better shape for volleyball I could try talking to her =P But its all good. I imagine that the 3 volleyball camps will get her into good shape. I hope that these camps help her to just be even more ready to slam some ball in the next volleyball season. Does Kara have a chosen position that she wants to play? In the last season I heard that she played outside hitter...I think.

Chris went to London and Paris on his honeymoon? That sounds fun. Is there any motive besides the fact that Paris is the city of love? Does Amber speak french? Do they have any fun visits that they'll be doing? (monuments, parks, etc). I guess that may be a question for them.

I'm sure that dad is just loving giving talks in church once a month. I definitely had areas where I could completely relate to that. Sometimes I think that its a little funny that its easier to give a talk when there's an assigned topic. When there isn't an assignment...the sky is the limit on that. Sounds like dad gave a great topic and had some "fun" personal experiences to share. I remember when he came back from that rafting trip and basically said, "Yeah, I almost drowned out there." But dad seemed to know how to tie it in to how we gotta know "pure truth" to get us out of sticky situations.

Those are some pretty fun coincidences that you told me about. I assume that Tessa Walton is back from Israel then. I hope she had a great time. Its a bummer that Elder Young isn't in my zone anymore, he'd love to hear how Tessa is doing. And I think I heard that a girl from Chris' ward is coming here to the DR. I imagine that I won't see her as she comes in. I'll be in the mission office from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning. She'll just go straight from the airport to the CCM. But when I came to the DR we saw a group of guys in Texas who were coming home from their mission. And by the way, what time will I get home when I get home? It was a topic of discussion this last week and I don't know. Yesterday was my "1 month until I leave on the plane" day. Elder Grant was telling me about what time some elders are leaving, who they're leaving with, and what time they get home. Apparently he told me that I'll get back at a decent hour (5ish). But all is well.

You got a letter from President Almonte? That's cool. That brings me back to a question that I asked about 2 years ago, I don't remember if I got a response. After I got into the mission field, did you guys get a letter that had my "letter home" (handwritten) with a photo with the Almonte couple and I? I remember that Jared had a pretty legit picture with him and the Roundy couple, I just want to know if I'll be able to see that pic that I had.

Anyway, this last week was normal as always. We have an awesome district all in the same house. So we've been having fun telling mission stories, pre-mission stories, and just good ol' american talk. We're a house of just 6 basically best friends. We go out and work hard every day to come home to a great house with great people.

This last week we had a baptism, Anthony. He's a 13 year old who has a strong testimony. He's the first in his family to investigate the church and Elder McMahan and I want to start teaching the rest of his family. We'll see if they have any interest. I'm having some interesting camera problems. It always says that my fully charged batteries need more charge. I'm not sure if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. But I'm will to bet that its my camera that I've had for 3 1/2 years that has taken quite a few hard falls. So, McMahan has most of the collection of photos. I'll probably just get a copy of all of his photos at the end of the transfer so that I have something to remember this area. But I'll still do what I can with it. Anyways...Anthony was stoked for his baptism and we ate a BIG cake after it. It was a fun event.

On Sunday we had a pretty cool experience. We had an american family show up, the Tanner family, to church. Elder McMahan and I were waiting for a family outside of the chapel and out of no where a big SUV pulls up and a man walks out saying, "Hey Elders! Do you know a good place to eat breakfast?" We talked to them and they got a quite bite to eat somewhere locally and they ended up coming back and visiting our ward. They are a family of 12, but only 10 were there. So they made quite a...show (for lack of a better word) when they popped up. They apparently have been living here in the DR for 11 months and will be leaving pretty soon. The oldest kid who was here on the trip was 22 years old and is studying computer science. We had a fun talk to get to know this family.

Anyway, that's all I got for now. I hope things continue to go well. I hope Kara has a great volleyball camp this week!

Love,
-Elder Bird

Hey Mom,
Well, I guess I have to respond to what you're probably thinking right now. "Why hasn't Ryan written home yet?" And when you get this you'll probably wonder why I'm writing you on a Wednesday morning. So all will be answered right now. On Monday there was a nationwide "welga" (or a strike). It had something to do with the bus system but every store was shut down here in Barahona this day. We weren't able to do basically anything on Monday since there was nothing open. I, luckily, was probably the only elder in our house of 6 missionaries (that's right, 6 AMERICANS) that had a little bit of food. So I went the day fine and most other missionaries went hungry. I offered them what I had, but only a couple missionaries accepted. But, all is well. The joke I had is that I normally have a HUGE stock of food in the house, but since it was week 1 I haven't done all my shopping. Then when my first p-day comes around to do my big shopping, ALL stores are closed. But its all over now and there's no harm done.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Chris' wedding went well. Where are they for their honeymoon? Sounds like the marriage was definitely a story. I'm glad to hear that there weren't any problems though (with food, events, etc).

But yeah, just to get the short message that President Rodriguez is giving us, I'll give a little up to date about the mission. I am so stoked that Elder McMahan is my last companion. Not only that but we have the coolest house in the mission. Its huge, has 24 hour light and water, and has the COOLEST missionaries. Myself (duh), Elder McMahan, Elder Grant, Elder Robertson (last Christmas I had his name for the gift exchange), Elder Money (I took his spot in Los Angeles), and Elder Brezack (I went on an intercambio with him in Azua and is the "son" of one of my favorite missionaries). I am so happy for this last transfer that I have. Not to mention that the entire zone has a lot of my great friends in it including: Elder Sanchez (from San Juan), Elder Goodmansen (from San Juan as well), Elder Rumbaugh (from my zone in Yaguate), Elder Falor (my ex-ayudante), and a couple other missionaries that I just know. I don't think that this transfer can get any better.

Yesterday we had interviews with President Rodriguez (so that's why we are writing today instead of yesterday). He took a good amount of time with each elder to get to know him. Elder McMahan and I were the first ones to go being the zone leaders. He basically didn't say a whole lot to me cause I'm "dying" this transfer as we say. To write more of our mission language, President Rodriguez asked me what my goal for the transfer is and I replied "I don't want to become a 'dead' missionary." He then shared with me that in his mission on his last day he worked and got home late at 10:00. So he encouraged me to work until the end and not let up any effort. And seeing as how I'm ending this transfer he didn't tell me a whole lot of things. He showed me some plans that he has for the mission and they're GREAT! I told him a ton, "Wow president, this'll help the mission a ton. I'll do what I can to help." I'm stoked for these missionaries who will be with President Rodriguez. Elder McMahan told me a ton of things that Pte. Rodriguez told him. They're going to apply a bunch of resources to the mission to have more efficient capacitations for the missionaries. Including personal DVD players and they'll probably let music back in the mission. I'm a little bummed that I won't be around for it. But I paid my price and I'm almost finishing. The most I can do is be excited for these other elders.

Anyway, I'll get more in later. We have a baptism planned for this week and the following and I'm excited for them. With the strike and interviews Elder McMahan and I are set a little behind for the week but we'll work hard to get this baptism ready and work hard. Love and miss you all!

Love,
-Elder Bird

Hey Mom,
I'm glad to hear about home and that you guys are having just a great vacation. Sounds like this is the week that all the fun begins. What day is Chris' wedding again? By the time you respond he may be married already. I just remember that its either the first or second week of July. But is all good.

Happy 4th of July to everyone back home. I celebrated today by wearing a sweet american tie. I happened to see an american girl in a restaurant that we ate in today (La Esquinita). She commented on my tie. It has an american flag design with the statue of liberty on it. Its just a one time deal. Since its p-day, not a whole lot of people will see me with it. I'm just being patriotic =D

I was thinking the other day of how Dan Tueller and Matt Bosen are getting home from their missions. Matt should be returning shortly after July 15th (he got the report date that I wanted/put on my papers, so that's why I remember that). So Dan should be returning probably the week before that. I remember when all of us left and now its our turn to come home.

Anyway, time for the news that you've all been waiting for...transfers. I'll just say, in the ENTIRE mission there are very few changes since we got a new mission president. I am one of the few who has a change. Yes, I am going. One thing I'll say is that this transfer can't be any more perfect for me. I've had a lot of things I've wanted to do at some point in the mission and a few things will happen just in this last transfer. So, I'm going to be Zone Leader in Barahona. This completes my desire to 1) Be in the Barahona zone to see the bay again, and 2) Be in a zone that has one of my old areas, specifically 3) Neyba. And I've got the coolest comp in the world and his name should ring a bell. My final companion will be 4) Elder McMahan who was my MTC companion. My very first companion in the mission will be my very last as well. Its so nuts. I'm stoked for it. So, to make it even more perfect, Elder Grant from my group will be in the same house with me and I have a few other friends who will be there with me in the zone. It couldn't be any more perfect for me. Not to mention Barahona apparently is a great tourist place, so I should be able to get some good souveniors there. Not to mention it has a rare stone that is only found in Barahona. That's something I've been wanting to get my hands on.

This last week we had our first zone conference with the new president, President Rodriguez. He has a young family for being a mission president. He has his wife and 3 kids with him. His oldest son is 15ish, his next son is 13ish, and his daughter is 10. President Rodriguez seems pretty motivated to work with us and help us. He gave us a list of things that he expects of us and he will do a lot of things to help us out. President Rodriguez served a mission a long time ago and knows what goes through the mind of missionaries. So he'll be a great help to us.

Well, there's only really one mission related thing that I really have from this last week. I went on an intercambio in Padre de las Casas with Elder Van Moos. This is the area that had a special transfer and was white-washed for it. So I was able to see how the elders have adjusted to their new area. Elder Van Moos commented to me that this as the best intercambio that he's ever had. I enjoy them and I try to make them enjoyable. It was a great experience for me. The missionaries there in PLC will continue strong and will work hard.

One funny story that happened before I end. You may ask why I share this, but its funny cause it was the only time it has happened and it was a very ironic moment. Every week when we wait for one of our members to leave with us we wait in the backyard under a big tree. The tree offers a nice shade for us to relax as we wait. This backyard also is FULL of pidgeons. Every week I have thought about how it kind of frightens me that they're above us. My companion, Elder Romero, also brought it up. ¨What if they decide to attack us?¨ I kind of chuckle and we stay under the tree. Minutes later...they NAILED me! I see something fall from above and land on my pants and my tie (luckily my shirt wasn't touched). I got pooped on by one of these pidgeons! What was even funnier was it happened at the beginning of the day. But luckily I was able to clean it up before heading out. Just something fun.

Anyway, hope all goes well with the wedding and hope you all have a great week!
Love and miss you all!
-Elder Bird
Only 6 weeks to go

Hey Mom,
With all the great things that you're doing I wonder how in the world my letters home can be the 'highlight' of your week. I honestly don't find them too exciting, but I always say that. Maybe I should just stick with my current style of responding home cause that seems to be the way you like to receive them.

I have definitely thought about staying in touch with mission friends after the mission. I have many friends, so I don't know who I'll stay in contact and for how long. I can definitely say that 3 guys from my group are going to BYU-I and they'll hang out after the mission. I'll definitely keep in touch through internet, but I don't know who I'll hang out with after the mission. There is an Elder in the mission that I'll probably see again, but that's cause I saw him in one of my classes before the mission (he was enrolled in CS with me). I definitely want to hang out with my step-kid (Elder Bagley, forgive my use of mission terms) when he finishes. Not to mention I'll probably look up my old american companions to hang out with them at least a time or two. I've done a lot of thinking about this topic.

President Almonte is heading out this week (I think Tuesday). Our new mission President, President Rodriguez, comes on Tuesday. I believe that I'll have two interviews with him. One to get to know him and one to send me off from the mission. We'll see what happens though. President Almonte had a tradition to take the leaving missionaries to a 5 star restaurant in the capital. We hope the new president continues that tradition. But we'll see.

President Northcutt is returning now? I remember when he got his call to be mission president. I'll bet he will have a ton of stories to share for the fireside that he'll do. I'm glad to hear that Mike Groesbeck is doing great in the MTC. I certainly can't wait for him to get out in the mission and start working. I hope he has a great experience. Although 9 weeks is long in the MTC, the elder who are going to Japan last about 3-4 months in the MTC. They're usually pretty tired of the MTC when they get to that time to leave.

Sounds like the summer fun is just about to start for our family. I can't believe that Chris' wedding is just around the corner. I remember hearing about it as if it were yesterday. What is the exact date again? I just remember that it's week 1 or 2 in July. That'll be here before we know it. Don't forget to send pictures! Of course, that comes from the hypocrite that hasn't sent photos for months. But I can say that last week my memories (camera and USB) were hit by a virus. My USB is still messed up, but I went to print photos off last week and there was a woman who cleaned up my camera memory for me. And speaking of great photos, we had a P-day activity were we took some great photos of the scenery here in Azua. We decided to go to climb to the top of a hill. Turns out our guide (a member in our branch) ended up taking us to the beach. Some guide, huh? So we took a couple photos of the ocean and beach and then we went and climbed up a nearby hill. I'm not sure if its the same one, but there are some great shots on my camera. I'll have to see what I can get uploaded when the time comes.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you guys are all doing well with the summer preparations. Things have been pretty normal here in the DR. We are anxious to see what happens for transfers. We have been doing what we can to teach our investigators. They're willing to listen, we just need to help them to strengthen their faith a little more. This last week Elder Romero and I came to church to find that none of our investigators showed up. We went looking for them to remind them beforehand, but turns out that none of them came this week. We`ll see why the next time we visit them.

Our entire zone is working hard with not too many results. We have a couple areas that we need to help out. So we're going to have some intercambios this week to help these missionaries finish strong.

Well, I'm glad to hear that you guys are doing well. We're working hard to try and get some motivated investigators. We have a ton that are interested and have a lot of potential. We'll see how we end the transfer. I hope all continues to go well with all of you. The next time you hear from me you'll know how/where I'll finish the mission.

Love and miss you all!
-Elder Bird